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Read. Follow. Verify.Michigan Senate Bill 736 modifies child abuse definitions and penalties
Last action · March 25, 2026: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLESponsors: Edward McBroom and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 736 amends the Michigan penal code's child abuse definitions, establishing first- through fourth-degree child abuse offenses and corresponding penalties ranging from a misdemeanor to life imprisonment. The measure explicitly exempts parents or caregivers allowing children to engage in independent activities and establishes an for actions taken in response to domestic violence. The bill is contingent upon the enactment of Senate Bill 735.
Changes felony and misdemeanor exposure for individuals convicted of child abuse or neglect under Michigan law, while providing specific statutory exemptions for children engaging in independent activities and s related to domestic violence.
- Senate Bill 736 modifies existing Michigan penal code provisions concerning child abuse definitions and sentencing guidelines. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Parents and Guardians
Subject to updated criminal definitions, sentencing enhancements, and specific legal exemptions regarding child discipline, independent activities, and domestic violence responses.
Minors Under 18
Protected by revised legal classifications defining physical and mental harm, abuse degrees, and caregiver obligations.
Prosecutors and Courts
Required to follow updated degree classifications, sentencing enhancement procedures, and affirmative defense standards during criminal proceedings.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes child abuse in the first degree under this bill?
Does the bill affect parents who allow children to participate in independent activities?
What is the penalty for a first offense of child abuse in the fourth degree?
What condition must be met for this bill to take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
7 actions- Mar 25, 2026SenateCommitteeREFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
- Mar 25, 2026SenateCommitteeREPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 3/24/2026
- Feb 11, 2026SenateREASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Feb 11, 2026SenatePLACED ON ORDER OF GENERAL ORDERS
- Feb 11, 2026SenateDISCHARGE COMMITTEE APPROVED
- Dec 10, 2025SenateCommitteeREFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Show 1 earlier action
- Dec 10, 2025SenateIntroducedINTRODUCED BY SENATOR EDWARD MCBROOM
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Conditional Legislative Enactment
The bill explicitly ties its implementation to the enactment of a companion measure, Senate Bill 735.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.mi.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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