SB 29 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Records: death; commission to investigate racial disparities related to maternal health; create. Amends secs. 2227, 2617, 2617a & 2618 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2227 et seq.) & adds sec. 2617b. TIE BAR WITH: SB 30'25, SB 32'25

Senate Bill 29 expands the duties of the Michigan Department of Health to address racial and ethnic health disparities. It requires the Department to develop strategies, provide resources, and maintain a webpage with data, including information on "obstetric racism" and "obstetric violence," which are defined within the bill. The legislation also mandates that the state's health information system collect data on these specific issues. Furthermore, it establishes a team within the Department dedicated to comprehensively reviewing maternal deaths and studying related perinatal policies to improve outcomes for patients in Michigan.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Apr 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 9 edits · Apr 17, 2025

MAJOR

This bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen efforts to address racial and ethnic health disparities, particularly in maternal health. It adds new requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services to develop strategic plans, monitor minority health progress, and establish a dedicated web page for minority health resources. The bill also introduces new definitions for obstetric racism and obstetric violence, and creates a new section requiring the department to maintain a team that comprehensively reviews maternal deaths in the state.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Public Health Code by adding new requirements for addressing health disparities and maternal mortality, and by adding a new section (2617b) focused on maternal death review teams.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for the department to develop and implement a structure to address racial and ethnic health disparities

New requirement to establish minority health policy

New requirement to develop a statewide strategic plan for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities

New requirement to provide data and technical assistance to minority health coalitions

New section requiring the department to maintain a team that comprehensively reviews maternal deaths in the state

Modified reporting requirements for maternal mortality statistics to include specific focus on preventable causes and best practices for reducing pregnancy-related deaths

DEFINITION

New definition of 'obstetric racism' as treatment or diagnostic decisions influenced by patient race that places health at risk

New definition of 'obstetric violence' as physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or other abuse by health care professionals during the perinatal period

TIMELINE

New requirement for the department to submit a report on maternal death review study results by January 1, 2026

Floor votes · Senate Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

22–15

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 38

Apr 17, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

3 Yea 15 Nay 1

78% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 17, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Health Policy

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

received on 04/17/2025

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 51 YEAS 22 NAYS 14 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 3/19/2025

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ERIKA GEISS

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors