Reform Coming for Perpetrator Registry

Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation reforming the Michigan Central Perpetrator Registry and the policies and procedures concerning its operation. The Michigan Child Protection Law requires the state Department of Human Services to maintain the confidential internal registry of confirmed child abuse and neglect perpetrators. Under the legislation the state must now notify a person being placed on the list by certified mail with return receipt, and the person will now have 180 days to request a hearing. Additionally, except for very serious offenders, names would be removed from the list after 10 years. The law previously required all names on the registry to remain until a registrant’s death. When there is evidence that an individual has abused or neglected a child and the future risk to the child is high, that individual’s name is placed on the registry.