A series of bills were passed on Thursday with a goal of ensuring children, seniors and vulnerable adults are safe in Michigan.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bipartisan bills on Thursday, July 23, including bills aimed at protecting children, seniors and vulnerable adults.
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Amber Alert system expansion
House bills 4517 and 4518, known as Rowan’s Act, will expand Michigan’s Amber Alert system to alert the public when a missing child with special needs, or any child believed to be in danger, goes missing.
The bills also protect broadcasters that share alerts exactly as provided by Michigan State Police and establish a fund to support the state’s Amber Alert system.
“No parent should ever be told that their child doesn’t qualify for an emergency alert because of a gap in the law. Rowan’s Act was born from the unimaginable loss of my six-year-old son, Rowan Morey, and from the belief that no other family should have to endure what ours has,” said Brandi Morey-Pols, Founder & CEO, The Rowan Project. “Today, Michigan is making history by choosing to protect children before tragedy happens, and I am deeply grateful to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for signing this legislation into law. This moment would not have been possible without extraordinary bipartisan leadership and every legislator who put politics aside to stand together for Michigan’s children. Rowan should still be here. While no law can bring him back, his legacy will help protect children and give families hope when every second matters. My prayer is that Rowan’s Act becomes more than a Michigan law—it becomes a model for the nation. If even one child comes home safely because of what was accomplished here today, then Rowan’s life will continue changing the world.”
Silver Alert system
Senate Bill 456 creates a statewide Silver Alert system to notify the public when a senior or vulnerable adult goes missing.
The system would allow Michigan State Police to send emergency alerts directly to cell phones, helping communities respond more quickly and bring missing loved ones home safely.
Other bills passed protecting children, senior, vulnerable adults
Senate Bill 585 amends the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to require courts to review a recent appraisal before approving the sale of a protected person’s home or property, ensuring vulnerable adults receive a fair value when their property is sold.
Senate Bill 586 amends the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to strengthen protections for vulnerable people when a guardian wants to move them to a new residence, requiring court approval in most cases and adding safeguards to help ensure any moves are in the person’s best interest.
Senate Bill 418 renames the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board as the Children Trust Michigan Board and updates its structure and oversight.
Senate Bill 421 and House Bill 4805 and 4808 update Michigan law to support the work of the Children Trust Michigan Board and its efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.