to refer HB 5296 to the committee on Judiciary, with recommendation as a substitute (H-1).
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,