SB 219 revises Michigan's mental health hospitalization procedures by updating the definition of a "person requiring treatment" under the Mental Health Code. It clarifies that individuals with dementia, epilepsy, or substance use disorders alone do not qualify for involuntary hospitalization unless they meet specific criteria related to risk of harm, inability to meet basic needs, or refusal of necessary treatment with documented risk. The bill modifies police protocols for protective custody (requiring family contact options and documentation), mandates a psychiatrist's examination within 24 hours of hospitalization, and updates referral processes between screening units and hospitals. These changes directly affect individuals with mental illness who meet the revised criteria and the healthcare providers and law enforcement involved in their care.
SB 222 expands who can petition for continued involuntary mental health treatment under Michigan's assisted outpatient program. It adds psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants (working under a psychiatrist's delegation) to the list of eligible petitioners and allows individuals aged 18 or older to file petitions for themselves. Petitions must include a clinical certificate and evidence of a psychiatrist's consultation (unless the filer is a psychiatrist), along with details about the treatment program and estimated duration needed. This change directly affects patients requiring ongoing treatment and increases the number of authorized mental health providers who can initiate the petition process.
Senate Bill 220 amends Michigan's mental health code, primarily affecting individuals receiving mental health services and the community mental health programs that provide them. The bill establishes a formalized statewide mediation process for resolving disputes between service recipients (or their representatives) and mental health service providers regarding the planning and delivery of services. It mandates that providers offer mediation, sets timelines for the mediation process, and requires the Department to fund and contract with mediation organizations. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for mental health evaluations at designated hospitals, including a requirement for preadmission screening units to complete examinations within two hours in most cases.
Senate Bill 221 establishes a new process for individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses who have mental health issues. The bill allows for the diversion of these defendants into assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) if the prosecuting attorney, defendant, and defense counsel agree to an assessment and the defendant meets the AOT criteria. If a court orders AOT for up to 180 days, the misdemeanor charges remain pending but are dismissed after 90 days (or 180 days for serious misdemeanors). This diversion pathway provides an alternative to standard mental competency procedures for eligible misdemeanor offenders.
Senate Bill 107 requires health insurance policies delivered or renewed in Michigan to provide coverage for specific services administered or ordered by pharmacists, starting January 1, 2026. This includes immunizations listed on CDC schedules, certain laboratory tests, and drugs dispensed by a pharmacist, provided these services are received at an in-network pharmacy and are within the scope of practice defined by the public health code. The bill allows insurers to apply existing utilization management, prior authorization, and cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles or co-pays, to this coverage.
SB 135 requires Michigan health insurers to provide dependent coverage until age 26, with identical benefits and premiums as other dependents. It mandates coverage for newborns from birth, including treatment for congenital defects, and prohibits denying coverage based on factors like out-of-wedlock birth or tax filing status. The bill also bans lifetime and annual dollar limits on essential health benefits (such as hospital care, maternity services, mental health, and prescription drugs) and requires no cost-sharing for preventive services meeting federal guidelines. These changes apply to individual and small group health insurance policies sold in Michigan, directly affecting insurers and their policyholders.
SB 38 amends Michigan's Social Welfare Act to explicitly include perinatal and gynecological services in Medicaid coverage for eligible individuals. The bill updates Section 109 (MCL 400.109) to require the department to provide guidelines ensuring these services are covered under the state's medical assistance plan. This directly affects Medicaid recipients in Michigan who need care related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, or women's health conditions. The change ensures these services are formally recognized in coverage rules, aligning with existing Medicaid requirements for other medical services.
Senate Bill 39 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to provide coverage for remote ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests. This allows patients to receive these services in their residence or other off-site locations through telemedicine. The bill mandates the department to update reimbursement rules for fee-for-service and managed care plans, enabling payment for these remote services using established CPT codes when the same standard of care is met. Reimbursement for these remote services is contingent on using HIPAA-compliant, FDA-approved digital technology for data transmission and FDA-cleared monitoring solutions for at-home use.
Senate Bill 36 expands Michigan's essential health provider recruitment strategy to include midwives. The bill amends the public health code, adding midwives to the list of "designated professionals" eligible for a state-administered debt repayment program. Under this program, midwives who have incurred educational debt may receive repayment for their loans or expenses. In exchange, they must commit to practicing full-time in a state-designated health resource shortage area for a specified period.
Senate Bill 32 amends Michigan's insurance code to require insurers offering medical malpractice policies to annually provide specific information. These insurers must submit data about their policies related to perinatal care services to the Department in a manner it determines. Within 60 days, the Department must then forward this information to the Department of Health and Human Services. This data sharing is intended to support a study required under the public health code. The bill will not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 29 also becomes law.
