LANSING – Surrounded by family and friends, State Rep. Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township) today was sworn in to his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony at the State Capitol. Today marks the first day of the 94th Legislature, in which Democrats control the House of Representatives for the first time since 1998.
"I am honored to represent the citizens of the Forty-Eighth District," said Hammel. "I am ready to hit the ground running and work to create opportunities and protect the hard-working people of Genesee County."
After the swearing-in ceremony, Hammel wasted no time getting to work. Hammel will introduce a bill that requires convicted sex offenders who pleaded guilty by reason of insanity to register with the sex offender registry. The current law exempts sex offenders from registering if they plead guilty by reason of insanity or mental illness.
"This legislation will help to protect our families and children," Hammel said. "People have a right to know if a sex offender is living in their neighborhood."