Michigan Senate passes bill to ban restraints on children transported to residential treatment programs

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Friday approved House Bill 5514, a bill that would prohibit the use of blindfolds, hoods, handcuffs, chains, and other restraints on children being transported to residential youth treatment programs, according to a press release from the office of State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, the bill's sponsor.

The legislation also bans private transportation providers from picking up children for transport between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

"This is a major step in ensuring that Michigan's children are treated with dignity and respect, especially during what can already be an incredibly difficult and frightening transition," Cavitt said in the release. "Parents should be able to trust that when their child is being transported to receive behavioral treatment, that child is safe and protected from unnecessary and outright dangerous restraint practices. A child should never have to experience a simulated kidnapping in the name of self-betterment. These methods are cruel, and we're putting a stop to them."

Cavitt described the vote as a common-sense measure to protect children and to give families greater confidence in the systems responsible for their care.

"This is a common-sense step we are taking to protect kids and give families greater confidence in the systems responsible for their care," Cavitt said. "I'm proud of the bipartisan work that has brought this legislation to this point, and I thank my colleagues in both chambers for standing up for the children of Michigan."

Paris Hilton, founder of 11:11 Media Impact, also weighed in on the vote.

"Today's overwhelming Senate vote makes clear that Michigan will not tolerate abusive youth transport practices," Hilton said in the release. "I am incredibly grateful to Representative Cavitt for his leadership and to every survivor who courageously spoke out to make this progress possible. HB 5514 will create protections for young people and families at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I urge Governor Whitmer to sign this bill into law and make Michigan a safer place for children seeking care."

According to the press release, the bill reflects a bipartisan commitment to strengthening protections for vulnerable youth and ensuring that transportation providers operate with appropriate safeguards.

With the Senate's approval, HB 5514 now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office for final approval.