A Michigan Based Support Group For Families of Individuals Convicted of -or- Charged With A Sex Offense.

How to Influence Michigan Law

Convincing our legislators that the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) and/or Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) laws need to be revised requires an understanding of Michigan Law. Each session the legislature publishes a Citizen’s Guide to understanding State Government It contains a wealth of information to help Michigan Citizens acquire an understanding of the legislative structure and process and to help them more effectively organize advocacy efforts.  

Some key sections which would be important to read are:
                        
                                     Citizen Participation:                           pages 1-3
                                     How a Bill becomes a Law:                  pages 60 – 61
                                     Committees and How They Work:        pages 62 – 64

Registrants are always encouraged to keep in touch with, and get to know, their Representative and Senator. When they hear from constituents it keeps them aware that there is a problem that needs addressing. Citizens are encouraged to write to their legislators frequently, or as needed, with concerns. It is VERY important to keep any communication diplomatic, short and to the point! 

Another way to impact change is to attend House or Senate Committee hearings when pertinent legislation is being discussed and give testimony when possible. The purpose in attending is to present justification to support or oppose a bill under consideration. When unable to attend a hearing it is also helpful to email and call members of the committee with your support or concerns.

During appearances we automatically present opinion and logic, however, committees and legislators prefer to have proof to support our opinion and logic statements. That is where input from citizens that are, or would be, affected by the bill is critical.

Key websites when advocating for change in Michigan laws:

Michigan Legislature website
Michigan House of Representatives
Michigan Senate

To help us advocate for all registrants we have developed what we call a "Case Profile" for registrants to complete and forward along to us. Information from Case Profiles can be critical, in that we always want to be representing as many issues and concerns as applicable to any particular piece of legislation being considered. Information from case profiles might be presented when advocating for legislative change. We never give out any personal information, only general circumstances, but if legislators have any questions we know who to contact for answers.

The questionnaire is quite easy to complete, asking general questions about your current circumstances and past convictions. The questionnaire also asks you to describe any current negative affects you or your family members have experienced resulting from registration or community notification laws that affect you today.

The case profiles we use will be determined by the legislation we are working on and the points we are trying to make. Please share your story with us. Personal information will ONLY be used with your permission and only with respect to Michigan Legislation!

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Our Forms and Documents are in Microsoft Word format (.DOC files), or Acrobat Reader format (.PDF files), and you may either download them or open them directly by clicking on that file format.