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Battle Creek proclaims November 2025 Family Court Awareness Month after local testimony
Summary
The Battle Creek City Commission on Oct. 21 proclaimed November 2025 as Family Court Awareness Month after testimony from a local advocate who urged state lawmakers to pass Rowan's Act and a proposed 'Cadence Law' to prioritize child safety in custody cases.
The Battle Creek City Commission on Oct. 21 proclaimed November 2025 as Family Court Awareness Month following testimony from Lisa of Protective Parents of Michigan, who urged the commission and residents to support state measures she says would help protect children in custody proceedings.
Lisa, who identified herself as a representative of Protective Parents of Michigan, told the commission that "child safety should be the priority in family court and custody decisions," and described personal and statewide concerns she said are associated with current family-court practices. She cited statistics and examples, and asked residents to contact their state legislators in support of Rowan's Act and a proposed "Cadence Law."
The city proclamation, read by Mayor Behnke, declared November 2025 Family Court Awareness Month in the greater Battle Creek area and urged "neighbors and citizens of Battle Creek to do their part to support Family Court Awareness Month and advocate for a safer, more informed family court system." No formal city policy change or fiscal action was proposed or adopted by the commission at the meeting.
In her remarks, Lisa described multiple personal incidents she said illustrated gaps in family-court responses, and she encouraged additional judicial training and legislative changes. She said a House-passed bill called Rowan's Act is being considered in the Michigan Senate and that the proposed Cadence Law "would require training for judges about all types of abuse." She also recommended that people contact representatives serving on the House family and veterans committee and their state senators to support the measures she named.
The commission presented the proclamation to Lisa but did not discuss or vote on any local ordinance or funding related to the subject during the meeting.
For residents seeking resources, Lisa referenced Protective Parents of Michigan's Facebook support group and the Rowan Project Organization website; the commission did not provide additional city-sponsored resources during the meeting.
