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HB 4518

Law enforcement: reports; Michigan Amber alert act; modify. Amends title & sec. 3 of 2002 PA 712 (MCL 28.753).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian BeGole and 9 co-sponsors

The Rowan Act expands AMBER Alert activation to missing children with special needs or deemed in danger, requiring MSP policy updates and earlier alert use.

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Bill Summary · HB 4518

Summary — HB 4518 (Rowan Act)

Status: Passed House (with substitute H‑1) Sept. 4–9, 2025; referred to Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety.

Purpose

To expand the circumstances in which Michigan’s AMBER Alert plan must be activated by the Department of State Police (MSP). The bill is called the "Rowan Act" and amends section 3 of the Michigan Amber Alert Act (MCL 28.753).

Key provisions

  • Requires MSP policies to mandate activation of the Michigan AMBER Alert plan for either:
    • A missing child with special needs; or
    • A missing child whom MSP, after a law enforcement preliminary investigation (under MCL 28.258, sec. 8(2) of 1968 PA 319), believes is in danger.
  • Adds a statutory definition of “child with special needs” (applies in this section):
    • Evaluated under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Michigan special-education administrative rules (R 340.1701–340.1862); and
    • Determined to have a qualifying impairment by an IEP team or judge, an IFSP team or judge, or a health care professional;
    • Needs services;
    • Is not more than 26 years of age; and
    • Has not yet graduated high school.
  • Effective requirement: MSP must implement these policy requirements beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act.

Who or what is affected

  • Children who meet the bill’s “special needs” definition (includes some youth up to age 26 who remain in special-education services and have not graduated high school).
  • Families of missing children, law enforcement agencies, and the Michigan State Police (which must adopt or revise activation policies).
  • Media and wireless-alert systems that participate in the AMBER Alert dissemination (by implication of expanded activations).

Fiscal and operational impact

  • House Fiscal Agency: possible nominal fiscal impact on MSP; increased frequency of activations could raise costs but likely absorbable within current appropriations. Uncertain overall cost because future missing‑child reports cannot be predicted. No fiscal impact on local governments expected.

Procedural/timing notes

  • Introduced May 21, 2025; substitute (H‑1) adopted in committee and on House floor (definition of “child with special needs” added in H‑1).
  • Passed the Michigan House on Sept. 4, 2025 (immediate effect); referred to the Senate committee on Sept. 9, 2025 and awaiting further action.
  • Related bill: HB 4517 would change broadcast statutes to allow dissemination of missing‑child reports and social‑media use; HB 4517’s effectiveness is tied to enactment of HB 4518.

Citation

Amends 2002 PA 712 (Michigan Amber Alert Act), section 3 (MCL 28.753).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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