Michigan Lawmaker Introduces Bills to Ban Registered Sex Offenders From Working With Children

The legislation would prohibit individuals listed on Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry from working or volunteering at businesses and organizations that primarily serve minors.

State Rep. Matthew Bierlein, R Vassar, has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening child safety protections and providing clearer guidance for parents, according to a press release issued by his office.

The proposed bills would expand Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Act by prohibiting individuals listed on the registry from working or volunteering at businesses and organizations that primarily serve minors. The restrictions would apply to a wide range of youth focused settings, including childcare facilities, summer camps, dance and martial arts studios, tutoring services, youth sports organizations, bowling alleys, escape rooms, and similar businesses.

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“These bills shore up gaps in law that leave parents in the dark,” Bierlein said in the release. “You could have a situation where parents drop their kids off somewhere and they would have no idea that a registered sex offender was on staff or volunteering there. These bills take away that potential, provide transparency, and make this cut and dry within law.”

Bierlein said parents who want to check offender information can access a publicly available registry maintained by the Michigan State Police, which lists individuals convicted of state or federal sex crimes. The registry is available online through the services section of the state of Michigan’s website and can also be accessed by phone.

The release also points to additional tools available to the public. The Offender Tracking Information System, maintained by the Michigan Department of Corrections, allows users to search offender information at no cost. The Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool, which is also operated by the Michigan State Police, provides criminal history records for a small user fee.

The legislation is expected to be formally read into the record in the coming days.