Meeting of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission
September 22, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Williams Building, Lansing, MI and Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
Called to Order:
Chairwoman, Melissa Palepu, called meeting to order at 12:00PM.
Agenda Items:
Call to order and Welcome. Chairwoman Melissa Palepu welcomed Commission members and the public.
Roll Call. Chairwoman Melissa Palepu took roll call of the Commission Members.
Members Present:
Agenda Items:
Approval of the Minutes from Monday, March 10, 2025: The minutes for the May 19, 2025, meeting were approved.
Approval of the Minutes from Monday, July 28, 2025: The minutes for the July 28, 2025, Special meeting were approved, with the correction that Board Member Jon Walden was not present for the meeting.
Agenda Item:
Report of the Commission Chair: Chairwoman Melissa Palepu congratulated Board Member Tiffany Martinez on the success of her STAT Conference.
Chairwoman Melissa Palepu reported Board Member Dr. Jenny Shih had to step down from the Commission due to increased work commitments. She advised she did inform the Governor’s Office and is awaiting a new appointment. Chairwoman also advised she inquired with the Governor’s Office about everyone’s re-appointments and to alert them their website was inaccurate.
Chairwoman Palepu advised the Commission Mixer was a success. Approximately 120 people attended, which included a lot of legislators and their aids. There was a lot of positive feedback. A huge thank you to the Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project for their work putting it together.
Chairwoman Palepu advised the State does not have an operating budget yet. If the budget does not get passed there will be a shutdown. The Commission would be shut down during that time, as Chairwoman Palepu would be unable to work. Emails would not be read or returned. The proposed House budget eliminated the Human Trafficking Commission altogether, however, even if no funds were allocated that does not mean the Commission is removed. We haven’t received any funds from the past anyway. Chairwoman Palepu stated she was hopeful we would get some funding this year and reminded everyone to reach out to the representatives
Chairwoman Palepu reported that Shared Hope was about to release their 2025 Report Cards. Michigan fails year after year but we are hopeful this year will be better.
Chairwoman Palepu reported on the new legislation that was just taken up by the House and Senate. They are Senate Bills 520-524 and House Bills 5009-5028.
Old Business: The Board voted on adding certain individuals to the Commission website as potential trainers in human trafficking. The individuals to be included are Board Member Alice Johnson, Angela Dudley, Ashleigh Pelto, Board Member Jon Walden, Board Member Katie Papke, Robin Bolz, Board Chair Melissa Palepu, and Stephanie Graef. Chairwoman Palepu reminded everyone that if they wanted to be listed as a potential trainer they needed to send their CV to her for review and a vote.
New Business: The Board voted to approve sponsoring the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Scholarships again this year in the amount of $3,000. This year it will be a Public Service Announcement as opposed to a news feature.
Chairwoman Palepu reminded everyone to email any “goals” they wanted the Commission to consider for next year.
The Board provided Committee Reports.
Vice Chairwoman Papke stated the Victim Services Committee is compiling a list of organizations that provide services and is creating a list of funding sources for organizations.
The floor was open for any upcoming events or opportunities. Board Member Michael Draminski called attention to an art exhibit in Grand Rapids called “Red Jeans” and encouraged everyone to go and see the exhibit, which was created by survivors of trafficking.
Public Comment: Melissa Palepu opened the floor for public comment.
Announcement of next meeting: The next meeting will be November 17, 2025, both in person at the Williams Building in Lansing and via Teams.
Adjournment: Melissa Palepu adjourned the meeting.
