Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 8, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

New gun safety laws to protect families go into effect February 13
Requires secure storage of firearms to prevent access by minors, enacts penalties

LANSING, Mich. – To help protect Michigan families – particularly children – from the tragedies of gun violence and unintentional firearms injuries, a law requiring secure storage of firearms goes into effect starting Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The new secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.

“We want to make sure Michigan families are aware of the new law designed to prevent unintentional deaths involving guns and how to comply with the new requirements,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Data shows firearms involved in unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents were often stored both loaded and unlocked, and children were most often fatally injured when the shooter was playing with or showing the firearm to others.”

If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm and any of the following occur, they are guilty of a crime under Public Act 16 of 2023, as follows:

• If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner: a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and injures themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts serious impairment of a body function on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts death on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

These penalties could be imposed in addition to charges for other criminal offenses arising from an incident.

“As the top law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan, as a former Wayne County prosecutor and as a mother, I too am exasperated and deeply saddened that thousands of Michigan residents fall victim each year to the scourge of senseless, preventable gun violence in our state,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel. “I am proud that our state has finally implemented new commonsense gun safety measures and am committed to using the resources of my office to educate residents about the new measures and support our communities through implementation.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds (67%) of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred when the shooter was playing with the firearm or showing the firearm to others. Overall, firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored unlocked (76%) and most of these unlocked firearms were also loaded (91%). Unlocked firearms were most commonly accessed from a nightstand or other sleeping areas (30%).

In addition, firearms are involved in more than half of suicide deaths in Michigan. Secure storage can also serve as a suicide prevention strategy.

In 2020, firearms became the number one cause of death for children in the United States and Michigan, surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries.

“Firearm violence is preventable, and a leading cause of death in our young people,” said Dr. Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “In Michigan, and across the United States, childhood deaths from firearms now exceed deaths from pediatric cancers and drownings. We have had major success over the past decades in reducing pediatric deaths from motor vehicle accidents, and we need to harness the same public health approach – including education and community outreach – to help keep Michigan children and families safe from firearm violence.”

What else the state is doing

To ensure federally licensed firearms dealers communicate the new requirements to their customers, MDHHS is working with the state Attorney General’s Office to provide dealers with safety information on the use and storage of firearms, requirements and penalties of the new laws and lethal means counseling literature.

To help defray the cost of purchasing firearm safety devices, additional legislation made these devices exempt from sales and use taxes through Dec. 24, 2024. Free gun safety kits can also be obtained through Project ChildSafe law enforcement partners across the state. MDHHS is also working with the Michigan State Police to make gun locks available; additional details of this partnership will be announced soon.

“The research underscores the crucial role safe firearm storage plays in safeguarding our children, families and communities,” said Holly Alway, Safe Kids Michigan president and Safe Kids West Michigan Coalition coordinator. “Michigan’s safe storage laws will help prevent tragic accidents like unintentional injuries, suicides and homicides. These laws prioritize safety and responsibility in every Michigan household and are a critical piece of a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to reducing firearm-related injuries and fatalities.”

“There are many options for parents and caregivers to obtain what they need to store their firearms safely,” said Pam Ford, coordinator, Safe Kids Greater South Haven, led by Bronson Healthcare. “In 2023, Bronson Healthcare helped raise awareness by launching a campaign for National Safety Month, making gun safety locks available at Bronson pediatrician offices and provided free cable locks at community events. Gun owners can also get free cable locks at local police departments – with no questions asked. The goal is to assist gun owners in southwest Michigan safely store their firearms.”

Additional gun safety laws going into effect protect Michigan communities by closing loopholes in the law and expanding universal background checks to all firearms as well as legislation that allows judges to order law enforcement to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals they deem a risk to themselves or others.

For more information, visit the MDHHS Firearm Safety website.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov   

MDHHS seeking proposals for training services, workforce development
capacity building center to enhance behavioral health workforce

LANSING, Mich. – As part of the state’s continuing commitment to improving access to behavioral health services for Michigan families, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to establish a capacity building center.

The capacity building center will provide in-person and online training and workforce development opportunities for individuals providing behavioral health services to children, youth and families in the public behavioral health system. The primary goal of these educational opportunities is to expand workforce capacity and improve access to and quality of children’s behavioral health services.

“Everyone deserves access to quality health care where and when they need it,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The goal of the capacity building center is to improve the ability of the state’s behavioral health workforce to provide care to Michigan families.”

Michigan universities and nonprofit organizations with expertise in establishing training programs in behavioral health services for children, youth and families across multiple disciplines are encouraged to bid on this RFP.

The submission date for this RFP is 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 6. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the SIGMA Vendor Self-Service (VSS) system. To bid on solicitations, vendors must first be registered with SIGMA VSS. There is no charge to register. The RFP can be located by searching for “Training Service and Workforce Development for the MDHHS Capacity Building Center.”

For additional information on how to register and obtain a VSS account to bid on open solicitations, please visit DTMB – How to Register as a Vendor (michigan.gov). The program period tentatively begins mid-July.

MDHHS anticipates issuing one award. MDHHS reserves the right to change mandatory minimum requirements, dates or any other information deemed necessary.      

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov

MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend
program to enhance behavioral health workforce  

LANSING, Mich. – As part of the state’s continuing commitment to improving access to behavioral health services for Michigan’s families, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to establish a program that will provide stipends for student interns in Michigan’s public behavioral health system. 

The Internship Stipend Program seeks to increase the availability of behavioral health services across the State of Michigan by incentivizing internship opportunities for college students. Approved sites will include Community Mental Health agencies, Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans, Indian Health Service/Tribally Operated Facility or Program/Urban Indian Clinic or public schools. People will be eligible for stipends if they are working toward behavioral health credentials from an accredited program and interning at approved sites in Michigan. 

Organizations with expertise in or experience with internship programs or Michigan’s behavioral health care organizations are encouraged to bid on this RFP #240000000815. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) anticipates issuing one award.

The submission deadline is 1:50 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the SIGMA Vendor Self-Service (VSS) system. To bid on solicitations, vendors must first be registered with SIGMA VSS. There is no charge to register. 

For additional information on how to register and obtain a VSS account to bid on open solicitations, please visit DTMB – How to Register as a Vendor (michigan.gov). The program period tentatively begins the first quarter of 2024. 

DTMB reserves the right to change mandatory minimum requirements, dates or any other information deemed necessary. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 12, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

More than $1.6 million in grants from Children Trust Michigan
help prevent child abuse
Organizations based in Flint, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Lansing, Gratiot and Keweenaw receive funding

LANSING, Mich. – The Children Trust Michigan’s Board of Directors has approved $1,602,012 for six Michigan community-based organizations to support local child abuse prevention initiatives.

The Direct Services grants will be funded over a four-year period. Winning grant proposals were selected through a competitive bid process.

“We are strongly committed to keeping kids safe,” said Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director. “Children Trust Michigan provides valuable funding to organizations in communities across Michigan so that they can put in place effective child abuse prevention programs. Children Trust Michigan prevention efforts are a key part of MDHHS’s Keep Kids Safe Action Agenda.”

Children Trust Michigan is housed within MDHHS.

“We congratulate the six successful grantees that emerged from an extremely competitive process with many more excellent proposals than we were able to fund,” said Suzanne Greenberg, Children Trust Michigan executive director. “We will work closely with our new grantees to build protective factors for children and families that will make safe, healthy and happy childhoods possible for Michigan’s children.”

The six organizations receiving funding are:

• Arbor Circle in Grand Rapids, $320,000 for its Nurturing Fathers program with a trusted messenger approach.
• Bethany Christian Services of Michigan in Grand Rapids, $124,932 for its Be Strong Families Parent Cafés to build fathers as leaders in their community.
• Family Services & Children’s Aid in Jackson, $210,000 for Parent Cafés and 24/7 Dad programs to build strong families and strong communities.
• Gratiot County Child Advocacy Association, $307,080 for Parent Cafés and 24/7 Dad programs to connect and engage fathers in the community.
• InvolvedDad of Flint, $320,00 for InvolvedDad & Nurturing Fathers program, preparing fathers to be leaders in their community, workplace and family.
• Keweenaw Family Resource Center, $320,000 for the 24/7 Dad, Parent Cafés and playgroups for fathers, which use multiple approaches to engage fathers.

The purpose of Direct Services grants is to fund community‐based child abuse prevention programs and services. The grants support families that experience challenges that could impact positive parenting and optimal child development. Strong emphasis is placed on assuring that funded initiatives are appropriately integrated into broader community plans for serving children and families. 

With the newly funded initiatives, combined with other multi‐year grant commitments and the statewide network of local councils, Children Trust Michigan distributed more than $2.6 million in 2023 in support of child abuse prevention programming across the 83 counties in Michigan.

Visit the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund website to learn more.