Senate passes Public Safety Legislation
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette praised the Michigan Senate today for approving two important legislative initiatives aimed at improving public safety.
The Senate unanimously approved legislation to create OK-2-SAY, a hotline and educational student safety initiative that will stop violence and tragedy before it happens by facilitating and encouraging confidential tip-sharing among students, parents, school personnel and law enforcement officials, uncovering harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt our schools. Senate Bill 374 is sponsored by Senator Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan), and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“OK-2-SAY will create an early warning system in our schools and communities to stop tragedies before they start,” said Schuette. “Thank you to Senate Majority Leader Richardville and Senator Judy Emmons for introducing and advancing this important legislation to protect Michigan children.”
The Senate also approved by a vote of 32-1 legislation to appropriate $4 million in settlement funds recovered by Schuette to the Michigan State Police to DNA test thousands of unprocessed rape kits from crimes committed in the City of Detroit. The goal of the plan is to identify and remove rapists and other violent criminals from Southeastern Michigan streets, protecting the region from serial criminals, as well as beginning the process of securing justice for women who were the victims of horrific crimes.
“The first responsibility of government is public safety, but in this case justice was put on a shelf, and it is appalling,” said Schuette. “These funds will begin the road to justice for women who have already waited too long. I would like to thank every senator who voted in support of this important effort to strengthen public safety.”
The $4 million appropriation to the State Forensics Laboratory Fund is part of the supplemental budget bill, House Bill 4112. The appropriation is funded by settlement monies and criminal fines successfully recovered by Schuette from state and national litigation. The appropriation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.