SB-0589 Summary

• Amends MCL 712A.19b to expand grounds for termination of parental rights in child welfare proceedings.

• Court must hold a hearing and issue an opinion or order within 70 days after the initial hearing on a termination petition; failure to meet deadline does not dismiss the petition.

• Allows termination of parental rights based on 14 specific grounds including desertion, physical or sexual abuse, failure to provide proper care, imprisonment, prior sibling terminations, and certain criminal convictions.

• Permits court to terminate parental rights at the initial dispositional hearing and may suspend parenting time for a parent subject to a termination petition.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment, contingent upon House Bill No. 5234 of the 97th Legislature being enacted into law.