LANSING — A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation to prevent sexual assault by fixing loopholes in Michigan law that enabled Larry Nassar to prey on children and young women for decades, and to change the culture around sexual assault through education in schools.
“One in nine girls experience sexual assault or abuse at the hands of an adult,” Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) said. “Whether you are a survivor of sexual assault, a friend or family member of one, or simply an ally, we must all do our part to protect children from this horrific crime by changing the culture in our state around this topic.”
Sens. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township), Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), and Lana Theis (R-Brighton) also sponsored bills in the package.
The proposed legislation would:
- Prohibit sexual contact and penetration under pretext of medical treatment and provide penalties;
- Modify sentencing guidelines for sexual contact or sexual penetration under the pretext of medical treatment;
- Create guidelines for when a licensee or registrant could and could not perform a medical treatment on a minor that involved vaginal or anal penetration unless it was within the licensee’s or registrant’s practice, and require another licensee and the minor’s parents, or guardians, to give consent;
- Modify sentencing guidelines; and,
- Require school districts to disseminate age-appropriate educational material, developed by the Michigan Department of Education, related to sexual assault and harassment.
“I am proud to stand alongside colleagues in both chambers of the state Legislature to craft fair and just policy to empower survivors, and protect generations to come,” Sen. Chang said. “We will work hard to ensure passage of this bicameral, bipartisan bill package to protect survivors, prevent sexual assault, and improve accountability.”
Senate Bills 216-220 have been referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
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