Senate Judiciary Bills

The Senate Judiciary Committee met Wednesday for the first time since before summer break. In their meeting, more than 15 bills were reported to the Senate floor, including an expansion on the state’s Good Samaritan Law.

The Good Samaritan Law would be changed to ensure individuals under 21 are not prosecuted for use or possession of certain controlled substances in the event that emergency services are required for a person who overdoses or needs medical attention from drug use. HB 5649 and HB 5650 allow the exemption for drug possession to apply to a person of any age and include any controlled substance or controlled substance analogue. Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) was the only no vote.

The committee also reported SB 1027, a bill to ban registered sex offenders from working in organizations that directly serve survivors of sexual assault. Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing), sponsor of the bill, believes sex offenders should have the opportunity to give back to their community, but protection of survivors should be of more importance. The bill was reported by a vote of 4-0 with Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) absent.

SB 1022, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), was reported unanimously as well. The bill requires a law enforcement agency to maintain a record of the reasons and circumstances surrounding a law enforcement officer’s separation of service with the agency. The bill also allows the officer to review the record and be able to submit a responding statement if there are any disagreements.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 15, 2016 10:08 AM
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