Bills To Curb Arson Advance To Full Senate

Bills aimed at curbing the number of arson cases in Michigan is headed to the full Senate.

The two-bill package would require that medical staff report treatment of burn victims, especially if it’s suspected an accelerant was involved.

Sponsor of one of the bills, Senator Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, says certain types of burns, especially those caused by fire accelerants, can create reasonable suspicion that a patient committed arson.

The legislation also allows insurance companies to hold off paying claims for fire damage determined not to be an accident until the person making the claim makes a sworn statement that they had nothing to do with the fire.

Sponsor of that measure, Senator Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, says it will deter arson for the purpose of insurance fraud.

The bills cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee.