House Bill 5197

Sponsor: Rep. Gilda Jacobs

Committee: Education

Complete to 12-10-99

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5197 AS INTRODUCED 12-9-99

House Bill 5197 would amend the Child Protection Law to re-define the term "child neglect." Currently, "child neglect" means harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare that occurs through either of the following: (I) negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care; or, (ii) placing a child at an unreasonable risk to the child's health or welfare by failure of the parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare to intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk. House Bill 5197 would add a third category of neglect: (iii) failure of a child, because of a parent's actions or inaction, to enroll in or attend school in compliance with Part 24 of the Revised School Code. (Part 24 of the code, MCL 380.1561, concerns compulsory school attendance.)

MCL 722.622

Analyst: J. Hunault

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.