RELEASE OF CHILD ABUSE INFO. TO MEDIA S.B. 999:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 999 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Irwin
Committee: Housing and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to allow the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) to release certain information on child abuse or child neglect cases to the
media, upon request, if the media could maintain confidentiality of personally identifying
information.
MCL 722.627
BRIEF RATIONALE
Generally, information filed under the Law is confidential and may only be released to certain
individuals and entities, such as law enforcement and specific individuals involved in a case
of suspected child abuse or neglect. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on
Housing and Human Services, the DHHS receives many media requests about child abuse or
neglect cases and the specific actions or inactions of the DHHS during an investigation of
those cases, but the DHHS is prohibited from commenting on or rectifying inaccuracies.
Accordingly, it has been suggested that the DHHS be able to release certain information about
the DHHS's actions and child abuse or neglect cases to the media to increase public awareness
when the DHHS determined necessary.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State or local government.
Date Completed: 11-14-24 Fiscal Analyst: Humphrey Akujobi
floor\sb999 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not
constitute an official statement of legislative intent.


Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-1): 722.627
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.627
As Passed by the Senate: 722.627