Rep. Weiss, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I strongly believe that we should do everything in our power to protect children and hold pedophiles accountable. However, HBs 5425 and 26 have several issues as written--they are unconstitutionally vague and broad and will end up costing our state more money in legal fees. Michigan’s SORA has been held constitutionally flawed in numerous court decisions, and this bill package adds to its already onerous registration requirements. Additionally, many people on the sex offender list may be on there because of a charge of, for example, public urination. This charge, under this bill, could potentially prevent them from gaining employment at any employer that serves children, even McDonalds. This bill therefore, while well intentioned, could end up hurting families.”
Rep. Wilson, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
This Bill Package is not specific enough to the many different types of conviction vote for in its current form.”
Rep. Myers-Phillips having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I fully support protecting our children and believe in aggressively prosecuting all who harm our children. However, HB 5425-26 casts too wide a net and would place lifelong restrictions on employment on individuals who are not sexual predators, but may have been convicted of a misdemeanor for an offense such as urinating in public, etc. This may also unknowingly punish minors who have engaged in mutual consensual activity; there is a long and at times discriminatory impact on the latter. Last, the definition of prohibited places of employment is so broad that it may be unconstitutionally vague and broad or impractical to enforce.”
House Bill No. 5426, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 11b of chapter XVII (MCL 777.11b), as amended by 2023 PA 22.
Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays as follows: