Crimes: crimes against minors; definition of child abuse; modify. Amends sec. 136b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.136b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0735'25
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends the Michigan Penal Code to clarify and expand the definition of child abuse. It distinguishes between different degrees of child abuse, ranging from first-degree felony offenses (requiring serious physical or mental harm) to fourth-degree misdemeanors (related to omissions or reckless acts posing a risk of harm). The bill also includes provisions regarding affirmative defenses, such as a reasonable response to domestic violence, and establishes a process for considering prior convictions when determining sentencing.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘child abuse’ across four degrees (first, second, third, and fourth), outlining varying levels of harm and culpability.
- Clarifies definitions of key terms like ‘child,’ ‘cruel,’ ‘omission,’ ‘physical harm,’ and ‘serious mental harm’ as they relate to child abuse.
- Establishes an affirmative defense for defendants who respond reasonably to domestic violence.
- Requires prosecutors to disclose prior convictions to the court before sentencing.
- Excludes certain independent activities of children from the definition of child abuse.
- Specifies penalties for each degree of child abuse, ranging from imprisonment for life to misdemeanor penalties.
- Addresses the consideration of prior convictions in sentencing for subsequent offenses.
- Includes a tie-bar requiring Senate Bill 735 to be enacted simultaneously.
Who is affected
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Senate Introduced Bill
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
No sponsors are on record.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours