LANSING, Mich. — Legislation by Sen. Ruth Johnson was unanimously approved on Thursday by the Michigan Senate as part of a bipartisan package to prevent sexual assault, support survivors and punish offenders.

“This package is the next step in ensuring we are doing everything possible to protect our children from sexual predators,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “Many of these measures have been in the works for a long time — originating in the aftermath of the sexual assault investigations and convictions of former Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar.

“As I was last term, I am proud to be part of this important package to support survivors and protect our children for years to come — and this time I am very hopeful that these reforms will finally be signed into law.”

Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, would create requirements for when a licensee or registrant could perform a medical treatment on a minor that involved vaginal or anal penetration.

Johnson’s bill, SB 70, would establish sentencing guidelines for criminal violations of SB 69.

SB 66, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, would require school districts to provide age-appropriate educational material related to sexual assault and harassment.

Other bills in the package, SBs 67-68 and 71-73 would:

• Prohibit sexual contact and penetration under pretext of medical treatment and enact sentencing guidelines for such actions.
• Require the protection, retention, and maintenance of medical records referencing a vaginal or anal penetration treatment for 15 years by a health professional and health facility or agency.
• Enact sentencing guidelines for the crime of intentionally failing to document certain services in a medical record.
• Exempt the identity of parties proceeding anonymously in civil actions alleging sexual misconduct from the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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