MEMBERS:
SEN. PETER J. LUCIDO, MAJORITY VICE CHAIR
SEN. LANA THEIS
SEN. MICHAEL D. MACDONALD
SEN. JEFF IRWIN, MINORITY VICE CHAIR
THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT
SENATOR ED MCBROOM
CHAIR
7200 BINSFELD OFFICE BUILDING
P.O. BOX 30036
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-7536
PHONE: (517) 373-7840
FAX: (517) 373-3932
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
July 23, 2020
A meeting of the Senate Committee on Oversight was scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., in
the 1100 Room of the Binsfeld Office Building.
A summary of the agenda is as follows:
1. A presentation by the Michigan Department of Corrections, regarding the Department's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 2:20 p.m. He instructed the Clerk to call the roll. At that time, the
following members were present: Sen.(s) Lucido, Theis, MacDonald and Irwin, a quorum was present.
At 2:21 p.m. the Chair entered the meeting.
The Chair entertained a motion by Sen. Theis to adopt the meeting minutes from July 22, 2020. Without
objection, the minutes were adopted.
The Chair recognized Sen. Santana had joined the meeting.
The Chair introduced Corrections Ombudsman, Keith Barber and invited him to address the committee.
Member question and discussion followed concerning prison facility contagious disease protocol, PPE, COVID-
19 testing procedures and response plan, social distancing vendor and visitor contact with inmates,
communication for and with staff and inmates, symptomatic employees, use of sick/leave time, inmate
communication with family, budgets, hotline phone numbers, step down and positive tested units, health care
and health care staff, tensions and stresses among the inmates during pandemic, mandated overtime, inmate
quarantine and personal property.
The Chair introduced Rep. Julie Alexander and Rep. Sarah Lighter and invited them to address the committee.
The Representatives shared information regarding communications received concerning the prison facilities
located in their legislative districts. Member questions and discussions followed regarding communication with
and for staff, inmates and families, COVID-19 testing, health care, staff financial issues, county health
department directives, chain of command, PPE, wearing of masks, the MCO.
The Chair introduced Natalie Holbrook from American Friends Service Committee and invited her to address
the committee. Written testimony was provided. Member questions and discussion followed regarding the
testimony that was provided.
There being no further business before the committee, the Chair moved to adjourn the committee at 4:01 p.m.
Without objection, the committee was adjourned.
Date Adopted by Committee: 07/29/2020