A state House committee this week considers a package of bills meant to improve protection for neglected and abused Michigan children.
A 2018 audit found serious issues in Michigan’s Children’s Protective Services.
Stacie Bladen is the deputy director of the MDHHS' Children's Services Agency. She says the agency supports most of the bills. But Bladen says they are concerned by one requirement that neglect and abuse investigations take place within 24 hours.
“We’re not suggesting at all that that’s not appropriate, but within 24 hours for a staff that has 12 cases, sometimes many more cases, that’s just not feasible. And we don’t think that helps us better protect children,” says Bladen.
The House Judiciary committee will review the six bill package on Tuesday.
