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Legislators submit plan to better protect kids after Nassar scandal

April 12, 2018
Hannah Administration Building on Aug. 29, 2015. Courtney Kendler/The State News
Hannah Administration Building on Aug. 29, 2015. Courtney Kendler/The State News —

Michigan House legislators submitted a plan Wednesday to protect the children of Michigan as a result of the hundreds of women who were sexually abused by ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

The reform plan includes additional penalties for the distribution, production and financing of child pornography and will put in place new penalties for people in positions of authority who abuse their power and fail to report sexual misconduct to local law enforcement. 

“This legislation is the next step we’re taking to prevent another individual from preying on children,” said state Rep. Kim LaSata, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, according to a press release. “Michigan State University’s response to the reports of sexual assault was completely abhorrent by medical, professional and moral standards. These bills will prevent another failure like this from occurring again.”

LaSata, along with state Rep. Klint Kesto, were two of the representatives who made a request for over 1,300 pages of Nassar-related documents from MSU. The House inquiry found the university had "absolutely no doubt" failed to protect students.

There will be additional training for mandatory reporters. Public universities and colleges will be urged to have a five-year campus sexual assault improvement plan. 

A bill in the reform package would create a new penalty of up to 25 years in prison and automatic removal of their medical license for health care professional who commit sexual misconduct with a patient during medical treatment.

The legislation requires medical professionals to receive informed consent for invasive treatments on minors, and the treatments must be documented in patients' medical records. These medical records have to be kept for a minimum of 15 years. There will be higher standards for medical professionals performing invasive procedures. 

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