Bill > SB0522

This bill amends Michigan's Probate Code to expand the grounds for terminating parental rights by explicitly including human trafficking violations as a basis for termination. Specifically, the bill adds human trafficking (as defined in the Human Trafficking Commission Act) to the list of serious offenses that can result in the permanent loss of parental rights. The bill allows courts to terminate parental rights if there is clear and convincing evidence that a parent has committed human trafficking, and if the court determines that continuing the parent-child relationship would be harmful to the child. The legislation provides that if the court finds grounds for termination and determines that such termination is in the child's best interests, it must order the termination of parental rights and cease further reunification efforts. The bill also makes some minor technical changes to language, such as replacing "shall" with "must" in certain sections and renumbering list items. This amendment aims to protect children from parents who have committed severe crimes by providing a legal mechanism to permanently sever parental rights in cases of human trafficking.

Justice

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0522