Michigan State Supreme Court Decision In Re: Sanders

On June 2, 2014, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that a Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) policy called the “one parent” rule was unconstitutional because it penalized non-custodial parents not found guilty of child maltreatment for the actions of custodial parents found guilty of child maltreatment. Under the “one parent” rule, DHS was permitted to place children in foster care, even when the non-custodial parent was not responsible, and even when the parents were not living together. DHS implemented the rule in 2002. The court said the “one parent” rule interfered with constitutionally protected parental rights. The . . .