RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Champions New Laws In Effect to Protect Kids, Impose Criminal Penalties on Those Who Hurt Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2023

Gov. Whitmer Champions New Laws In Effect to Protect Kids, Impose Criminal Penalties on Those Who Hurt Children

LANSING, Mich.—This week, new laws took effect that protect kids from sexual abuse, and help keep communities safe by imposing criminal penalties on those who hurt children. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed these bills in July.

“I am committed to keeping Michiganders safe and healthy, and the bills taking effect this week will protect survivors and give them the resources they need,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a county prosecutor, I went after those who used their power to prey on young people. Now, as governor, I have proudly signed legislation banning child marriage in Michigan and protecting sexual assault survivors. Together, we can make Michigan a safe, welcoming place where everyone can envision a bright future for themselves.”

Public Act 57 will protect children from abuse by ensuring middle and high school students receive age-appropriate materials and training to identify and prevent sexual assault and harassment.

Public Act 58 will keep communities safe by prohibiting health professionals from using the false pretext of medical treatment as a guise to commit sexual assault. Any individual who does so is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years (if involving sexual contact) or up to 25 years (if involving sexual penetration).

Public Act 59 updates sentencing guidelines in accordance with the new felonies created under Public Act 58.  

Public Acts 60 and 62 aim to keep Michigan children safe by requiring parental consent and an additional health professional to be present during certain exams of minors and requiring patients’ records to be updated and retained for 15 years following the exams. The acts establish misdemeanors and felonies for violation of the laws.

Public Acts 61 and 63 update sentencing guidelines in accordance with Public Acts 60 and 62.

School Safety Investments

Governor Whitmer has made historic investments in school safety, including securing $214 per student for on-campus mental health and school safety needs and $328 million in the most recent budget for mental health and school safety.

The budget will help schools in communities across Michigan hire more on-campus school resource officers, create an intervention system for at-risk students, and establish a school safety commission.

The governor signed legislation to fully fund risk assessments and critical incidence mapping at every school in the state to help protect students and create safety plans in the event of an emergency. The legislation delivered necessary resources to every district across the state to support students and improve public safety.

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