This bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from discriminating against licensed healthcare providers who are acting within the scope of their professional licenses. While insurers must not unfairly exclude these providers from their policies, the law does not force them to contract with every willing provider or to pay the same reimbursement rates to all. The legislation defines discrimination based on existing federal standards and clarifies that "health professional" includes anyone authorized to practice under the state's public health code.
This bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specify the prison terms for sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion. It directly affects individuals charged with these crimes by establishing a tiered system where penalties increase based on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent offense, and by adding higher maximum sentences for cases involving specific aggravating factors. The legislation also adjusts sentencing ranges for other related felonies, such as impersonating public officials and various types of fraud, to align with current legal standards. By amending the Code of Criminal Procedure, the bill provides judges with clearer instructions on how long offenders must serve for these specific violations.
This law requires health professionals in Michigan to offer mental health screenings to new mothers during postpartum visits or well-child checkups for their infants. Starting in January 2026, doctors and nurses in pediatric or obstetric settings must provide these screenings, while other licensed health workers may offer them until the child turns one year old. The state is authorized to create a screening tool, but providers can also use existing evidence-based methods to assess maternal mental health risks. If a professional identifies potential mental health needs, they can provide information on symptoms, treatment options, and referrals to support services. The law defines "health professional" to include anyone licensed to practice medicine, nursing, or other regulated health professions in the state.
This bill updates the definitions within Michigan's Motor Carrier Fuel Tax Act to clarify terms used for calculating and collecting taxes on commercial vehicles. It specifically revises how "motor carrier" and "qualified commercial motor vehicle" are identified, ensuring consistency with related fuel tax laws and including provisions for out-of-state registered farm vehicles. The legislation also standardizes definitions for items like "alternative fuel," "gallon equivalent," and "public roads" to align with existing statutes. While the bill was approved by the Governor, it includes a condition that it will not take effect unless a separate companion bill, House Bill 5379, is also enacted into law.
This bill amends Michigan's hate crime laws to expand the definition of protected characteristics and clarify the specific actions that constitute a hate crime. It directly affects individuals who commit acts of intimidation based on traits such as race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ethnicity, or national origin, as well as those associated with people who possess these traits. The legislation outlines various prohibited behaviors, including physical violence, stalking, property damage, and threats, while establishing a tiered penalty system where punishments increase for repeat offenses, crimes committed by groups, attacks on minors, or incidents involving weapons. Additionally, the bill allows victims to file civil lawsuits for damages and attorney fees regardless of any criminal prosecution, and it requires prosecutors to explicitly list prior convictions when seeking enhanced sentences.
SB 206 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant law to explicitly include various forms of financial assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers and emergency rental aid, as a protected "source of income" under the state's fair housing laws. This change prohibits landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants based on the specific programs or benefits they use to pay rent, provided the income is not derived illegally. The bill defines "source of income" broadly to cover federal, state, and local subsidy programs, ensuring that individuals relying on these funds have the same housing opportunities as those with other income sources. By clarifying these definitions within the existing legal framework, the legislation aims to prevent unfair treatment of tenants who depend on government or nonprofit assistance to secure housing.
This bill creates two new entities within the Michigan state government: the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity and the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. The Bureau is tasked with coordinating state efforts to reduce poverty, providing technical assistance to designated community action agencies, and administering specific programs like weatherization assistance. The Commission serves as an advisory body that includes elected officials, private sector members, and low-income individuals to help develop policies and programs aimed at fostering self-sufficiency. Together, these organizations will work to identify poverty-related issues, evaluate existing state programs, and recommend changes to improve economic and social opportunities for low-income residents.
This law allows insurance companies in Michigan to choose not to cover vehicles used in peer-to-peer car sharing services, such as those offered by apps like Turo. The bill clarifies that these sharing platforms can purchase their own insurance policies to cover the vehicles and the people driving them, but it does not require individual car owners to buy insurance through these platforms. By permitting insurers to exclude these specific shared vehicles from their standard policies, the legislation gives insurance companies more control over which risks they accept. This change directly affects insurance providers who may update their contracts to stop covering cars rented out through peer-to-peer sharing apps.
This bill updates Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to modernize how work permits for minors are issued and managed. It shifts the responsibility for issuing work permits from school officials to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, effective 18 months after the law takes effect. The legislation also establishes a new registration system where minors must be enrolled in a state database before they can be employed, while maintaining existing exemptions for specific agricultural tasks and unpaid volunteer work.
This law requires hospitals in Michigan to give parents or guardians a specific guide on how to enroll their newborns in health insurance if the baby is not already covered by a plan. The state's insurance and health departments will create this informational document to help families navigate the enrollment process. This rule applies only to live children born in hospitals and does not change the underlying insurance laws or create new penalties for hospitals.
This bill modifies how money from Michigan's Transportation Economic Development Fund is distributed to various road and infrastructure projects. It establishes specific funding tiers that prioritize forest road construction, rural road improvements, and urban traffic management based on population size. The legislation also allocates a portion of the remaining funds to economic development projects in targeted industries, with some temporary adjustments to these allocations for specific past fiscal years. By updating the distribution rules, the law ensures that state resources are directed toward maintaining roads in commercial forests, upgrading rural networks, and reducing congestion in larger cities.
This bill modifies Michigan's public health laws to require that donors of breast milk be tested for HIV before their milk is used. It applies to licensed facilities that collect human tissues or body fluids for introduction into a human body, ensuring that all potential donors are screened for the presence of HIV or antibodies to HIV. If a test result is positive, the milk cannot be used unless specific emergency exceptions apply, such as when testing is not possible due to exigent circumstances and both the donor and recipient provide written informed consent. Additionally, the law mandates that facilities must inform donors of any positive test results and holds violators civilly liable for damages caused by failing to comply with these testing requirements.
