Wortz bill passes out of committee, bill would protect parents from abuse and neglect allegations

LANSING, MI (WTVB) – State Representative Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy) celebrated a successful committee vote as the House Committee on Families and Veterans advanced her plan to protect parents from child abuse or neglect allegations when seeking second medical opinions.

House Bill 5163 would amend the Michigan Child Protection Law to clarify that declining a treatment plan in favor of another qualified expert’s opinion does not constitute neglect.

Wortz says her bill strikes a necessary balance between protecting children and respecting the judgment of parents, “It ensures that child neglect laws remain focused on situations where children are denied necessary protection, rather than penalizing families who responsibly seek additional medical treatment.”