HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND SENIORS
REP. KATHY CRAWFORD
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
9:00 p.m.
Room 308, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors was called to order by the
Chair.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Crawford, Rendon, Farrington, Hoitenga, Wozniak, Garrett, Liberati, Brenda
Carter, Cynthia Johnson.
Absent/Excused: None.
Representative Brenda Carter moved to adopt the meeting minutes from February 5, 2020. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5296 before the committee:
HB 5296
(Rep. Hornberger) A bill to amend 1846 RS 84, entitled "Of
divorce," (MCL 552.1 to 552.45) by adding section 6a.
Representative Rendon moved to adopt substitute (H-1) to HB 5296.
Representative Pamela Hornberger, the bill sponsor, explained the substitute (H-1) to HB 5296.
The motion prevailed 9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Crawford, Rendon, Farrington, Hoitenga, Wozniak, Garrett, Liberati, Brenda
Carter, Cynthia Johnson.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
Merrill Gordon, an attorney representing himself, testified in opposition to HB 5296. A copy of
his written testimony is attached.
Carlo J. Martina, P.C., representing State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council, testified in
support of HB 5296 as a (H-1) substitute. Questions followed. A copy of his written testimony is
attached.
James J. Harrington, III, an Attorney and former Chair of the Family Law Council-Section,
submitted written testimony in support of the Chair on HB 5296.
Rebecca Shiemke, A Family Law Attorney for Michigan Poverty Law Program, submitted
written testimony and a testimony card in support of HB 5292 as a (H-1) substitute.
Kathy Hagenian, Executive Policy Director at Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual
Violence, submitted a testimony card in support of HB 5296, but did not wish to speak.
Representative Cynthia Johnson moved to refer HB 5296 to the committee on Judiciary, with
recommendation as a substitute (H-1). The motion prevailed 9-0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Crawford, Rendon, Farrington, Hoitenga, Wozniak, Garrett, Liberati, Brenda
Carter, Cynthia Johnson.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid HB 5443 and HB 5444 before the committee:
HB 5443
(Rep. Crawford)
A bill to create the kinship caregiver
advisory council; to prescribe the membership of the council;
to prescribe the powers and duties of the kinship caregiver
advisory council; to prescribe the powers and duties of
certain state departments and agencies; to allow for
appropriations to carry out the provisions of this act; and to
promulgate rules to carry out the purposes of this act.
HB 5444
(Rep. Liberati) A bill to create the kinship caregiver
navigator program; to provide for resources and services for
kinship caregivers; to make appropriations for the kinship
caregiver navigator program; and to prescribe the powers
and duties for certain state departments and agencies.
The Chair explained her bill, HB 5443, and written handouts, which are attached. Representative
Frank Liberati, the bill sponsor, explained HB 5444, and his written testimony, which is
attached. Questions followed.
Cathe Hoover, Adoption/Guardianship/Permanency Program Manager in the Michigan
Department of Health and Human Services, testified in support of HB 5443 and HB 544.
Questions followed.
Alicia Guevara Warren, Director of Michigan State University Kinship Care Resource Center,
testified in support of HB 5443 and HB 5444. Questions followed. A copy of her written
testimony is attached.
Christine Vanlandingham, Chief Operating Officer at Region IV Area Agency on Aging, and a
grandparent caregiver, testified in support of HB 5443 and HB 5444. Questions followed.
The following individuals submitted a testimony card in support of HB 5443 and HB 544, but
did not wish to speak:
Jason Lachowski, representing AARP of Michigan;
Ron Tatro, Vice President at Elder Law of Michigan;
Dan Jarvis, Director of Research and Public Policy for Michigan Family Forum;
Rebecca Shiemke, A Family Law Attorney for Michigan Poverty Law Program;
Kathy Hagenian, Executive Policy Director at Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and
Sexual Violence;
Janet Reynolds Snyder, the executive director of the Michigan Federation for Children
and Families; and
Robert Dorigo Jones, Policy and Outreach Coordinator at Michigan’s Children.
There being no further business before the committee, Representative Wozniak moved to adjourn
the committee. There being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent. The
Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
Representative Kathy Crawford, Chair
Joy Brewer
Committee Clerk
joybrewer@house.mi.gov