Granholm Signs New Laws to Protect Michigan's Children from Exposure to Drugs

July 6, 2006

Legislation defines methamphetamine exposure as child abuse

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed into law a legislative package she called for in her 2006 State of the State address that targets the effects of methamphetamine production, including the dangers it creates for children.  In signing the package, Granholm commended state lawmakers for taking quick action on the proposal.

“For the first time, we can now charge those who expose children to the dangers of methamphetamine production with child abuse – because that’s what it is,” Granholm said.  “I’m proud to sign legislation that will help our law enforcement officers better protect children and give our communities additional tools to deal with the environmental damage caused by the production of this illegal drug.”     

The 12-bill legislative package signed by Granholm:

• adds exposure to methamphetamines to the definition of child abuse and requires officials to conduct an investigation if exposure is suspected;
• allows local law enforcement officers to seek medical treatment for children exposed to methamphetamines without a court order;
• creates a Methamphetamine Reporting Act to better enable law enforcement officials to track methamphetamine production and use;
• requires the Department of Community Health and the Department of Environmental Quality to develop new procedures for clean-up of environmental contamination resulting from methamphetamine production;
• prohibits the use of the Internet or other electronic methods to publish information regarding production of methamphetamine or to sell ephedrine or pseudoephedrine-based products that can be used in its production.

“Our children’s safety cannot be compromised,” Granholm said.  “We will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that they are protected.”

Calling for and signing this legislative package is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Granholm administration to protect Michigan’s children.  The Michigan State Police and Department of Corrections have arrested nearly 2,100 violent parolees, taking them off our streets.  Last year, Michigan became one of the first states in the country to join a nationwide effort to track felons who’ve been convicted of sex crimes, and is also one of the first states to operate an Internet “do-not-call” list for parents who want to keep inappropriate material away from their kids’ email inboxes.  The Governor also called for and signed legislation to keep sex offenders out of our schools and to make the sale or rental of mature or adult-rated video games to children illegal.

The bills in the legislative package include:  Senate Bill 1112, sponsored by Senator Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck Township); Senate Bill 1115, sponsored by Senator Tom George (R-Texas Township); Senate Bill 1116, sponsored by Senator Bill Hardiman (R-Kentwood); Senate Bill 1119, sponsored by Senator Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores); Senate Bill 1282, sponsored by Senator Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac); House Bills 5798, 5841 and 5930, sponsored by Representative Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton); House Bill 5822, sponsored by Representative Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge); House Bill 5843, sponsored by Representative Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba); House Bill 5844, sponsored by Representative Rick Baxter (R-Concord); and House Bill 5845, sponsored by Representative Tim Moore (R-Farwell).

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