Committee hears ‘Rowan Act’ to let state police trigger AMBER Alerts in custody and special‑needs cases

The Michigan House Families and Veterans Committee heard testimony on HB 4517 and HB 4518 — legislation supporters call the Rowan Act — which would let the Michigan State Police activate AMBER Alerts when officers determine a child is in imminent danger, including in parental‑custody disputes and cases involving children with special needs.

Representative Regas, speaking for the sponsors, said the change would give law enforcement “the flexibility needed to respond swiftly and potentially life‑threatening situations putting safety above all else.” He described a case in which a six‑year‑old named Rowan went missing after a failed custodial exchange; the sponsor said no AMBER Alert was issued under the state’s current statutory criteria and Rowan’s body was discovered after his biological father killed him and himself.

Family members who testified described the human toll they attribute to the current statutory limits. Brandy Morey Poles,…