Former Sex Offenders Couldn't Work With Kids Under Bills

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/25/2026) Parents who were horrified after learning their children’s karate instructor was a registered sex offender helped spearhead bills that would prohibit sex offenders from working at or owning businesses whose services target children.

However, Jessica Zimbelman, deputy director of the State Appellate Defender Office, and Miriam Ackerman, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan, raised constitutional concerns about HB 5425 and HB 5426.

“I, too, am a parent. I have 7-year-old twin girls and I would do anything to protect them,” Zimbelman told the House Judiciary Committee. “This bill doesn’t do that, though.”

Ackerman added: “This bill is certainly well-intentioned, but it is also flatly unconstitutional. There are ways to address parental concerns that don’t violate the Constitution.”

Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), who introduced both bills, said current law does not prohibit registered sex offenders from operating or working in businesses that cater to children, such as summer camps, dance studios, martial arts facilities, tutoring or youth sports venues.

The proposed legislation “closes this dangerous gap,” Bierlein said.

“These bills are about strengthening protections for children and ensuring our laws are consistent,” he added. “If we believe children should be protected in schools, that same principle should extend to other environments designed primarily for them.”

Bierlein said the bill puts the onus on the offender, not the businesses.

Rep. Mike Harris (R-Clarkston) questioned if it would prohibit a registered sex offender from volunteering at a nonprofit or parks and recreation facility that teaches classes, and Bierlein said “it should” but he’d have to check if that is also covered under his proposed legislation. If it’s not, Bierlein said, he’d happily amend the bill.

Zimbelman said the burden should be on the business, not on the 45,000 people on SORA.

Logan Christian, a parent who helped bring the legislation to fruition, testified that he learned at a martial arts tournament that his child’s mentor is a registered sex offender, which surprised him as he believed a sex offender could not work at a business geared toward children.

Christian acknowledged that he has “free access” to check Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA), but he called it “an undue burden upon my family.”

Christian added, “I understand that this burden should not be undue, as it would hamper the offender’s chance of reintegrating back into society. These bills would, in fact, allow for a greater chance of successful reintegration as it denies the offenders the opportunity to re-offend.”

Parent Danielle Helwig tearfully testified that she felt guilt after learning in August 2024 that her daughters’ martial arts instructor was listed on SORA.

“We all share remorse, regret, guilt,” Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) said. “Have to forgive ourselves for all sorts of things that we’ve exposed our children to unknowingly. … You have to forgive yourself knowing you’re in the same world the rest of us are in, that it’s really rough, and I appreciate you sharing your story.”

Zimbelman and Ackerman both told the House Judiciary Committee that federal and state courts have clearly said the state’s SORA is unconstitutional.

Ackerman said courts have already struck down Michigan’s prior attempts to limit employment and Zimbelman called SORA “bloated” because it includes people who did not commit sex offenses against children.

Courts have ruled changes to SORA were unconstitutional, and the Legislature made amendments effective 2021, including removing the employment restriction.

However, Ackerman said, courts have found “those minor changes” were not enough to cure the constitutional deficiencies.

In 2024, a federal court found significant parts of the law unconstitutional, and that case is currently on appeal.

Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) arguably was unmoved by the attorneys’ testimony, saying she finds it inexcusable and “just disgusting” that sex offenders can work in businesses geared toward children.

“I’m sorry that you chose that lifestyle,” she said. “ … I get the science behind it all, all of that. I’ve heard it all in my years in the legal industry, but I still don’t think it’s an excuse. I think it’s a sick, vicious cycle, and the public should be aware of crimes you may have committed . . .

“Why you would even think it’s OK to risk minors' lives with an individual like that just disgust(s) me and makes me sick. I can’t wait to move this out of this committee,” she said.