AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- RHODE ISLAND MEALS ON WHEELS INC. FUND

2025 Regular Session

HB 6149 lets the family division take exclusive jurisdiction in dependency cases for under-18s at risk due to unmet special medical, mental health, educational, or social needs, af

04/24/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Purpose and intent

To expand the jurisdiction of the family division of the circuit court to include dependency proceedings for certain juveniles under 18 who are in danger of substantial physical or psychological harm.

The trigger for this jurisdiction is when a juvenile is without proper or necessary support, care, or services due to the juvenile’s special medical, mental health, educational, or social needs, and the parents or guardians have sought state/local assistance but are unable to provide the needed care through no fault of their own.

What the bill would do

Amend Chapter XIIA of the Probate Code (the juvenile code) to create a dependency basis for court intervention.

Specifically, the family division would have exclusive original jurisdiction in county-based proceedings concerning a dependent juvenile who meets the above criteria.

The “no fault” standard means parents, guardians, or custodians have pursued available support and resources but cannot meet the juvenile’s needs.

Key provisions (highlights)

Jurisdictional change: Adds a new ground under the “dependent” category for juveniles who are in danger of substantial harm due to unmet needs tied to special medical, mental health, educational, or social requirements.

Definition anchors: Clarifies terms like “education,” “neglect,” and “without proper custody or guardianship” consistent with the child welfare framework.

No-fault condition: Establishes that the inability to provide care must be through no fault of the juvenile’s parents, guardian, or custodian, despite seeking assistance.

Effective date: The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Who would be affected

Juveniles under 18 in the county who are found to be dependent for the described reasons.

Parents, guardians, or custodians of these juveniles.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and local units of government (potentially affected by increased caseloads and service coordination needs).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors (with initial referral to Criminal Justice when introduced).

Legislative history: Introduced November 26, 2024; introduced by Rep. Kara Hope; first referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; later referred to Families, Children and Seniors.

Enactment timeline: If enacted, provisions would become law 90 days after enactment.

Fiscal impact

Projected to increase costs for DHHS and local government entities; the amount is indeterminate and depends on how many additional juveniles would be placed under court jurisdiction and the services provided (e.g., behavioral health services).

Uncertain impact on federal Title IV-E funding for juveniles in dependency proceedings under the new framework.

Notable context

The bill would amend MCL 712A.2, expanding the scope of dependency determinations within the juvenile code by adding a pathway for court-based intervention when special needs create a risk of harm and assistive resources have been exhausted through no fault of the family.

If you’d like, I can compare HB 6149 to existing dependency statutes or provide a side-by-side with the current jurisdiction to highlight the net effect.

Bill