HB 5200 requires health insurance plans in Michigan that cover gynecological care to include annual pap smear screenings for women aged 21 or older, with coverage mandated every three calendar years. This applies to all health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed in Michigan that provide gynecological coverage, directly affecting women 21+ and insurers offering such plans. The bill eliminates cost-sharing requirements (like copays, deductibles, or coinsurance) for these screenings, ensuring full coverage without out-of-pocket costs. It amends Michigan’s Insurance Code (MCL 500.3406nn) to standardize this preventive care requirement. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Insurance after introduction on November 4, 2025.
HB 5184 shortens the deadline for employers and insurers to pay worker's compensation benefits from 30 days to 14 days after benefits become due. It also increases the daily penalty for late payments from $50 to $100 per day (capped at $25,000 total), applies to both wage benefits and medical/travel costs, and requires interest on delayed payments at 10% annually. This directly affects workers receiving compensation and employers/carriers responsible for timely payments. The bill aims to accelerate benefit delivery and strengthen penalties for noncompliance under Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act.
HB 5256 amends Michigan's income tax code to adjust deductions for retirement and pension benefits. It expands the deduction for benefits received from public retirement systems (including federal, Michigan, or other states' systems with reciprocal treatment) and updates the annual cap for non-federal retirement benefits to $42,240 for single filers and $84,480 for joint filers. The bill also requires annual adjustments to these caps based on the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects Michigan taxpayers claiming these specific retirement deductions when calculating taxable income.
HB 5255, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan, directly affecting patients with medical debt and large healthcare providers (with $20 million+ annual revenue) or medical debt buyers. It prohibits charging interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3% on medical debt. The bill bans aggressive collection tactics like wage garnishment for patients qualifying for financial assistance under a healthcare facility's policy, and requires medical debt buyers to follow strict rules, including not using prohibited collection actions and returning debt if a patient qualifies for financial aid.
HB 5187 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to clarify when employers or insurance carriers can recoup overpaid benefits to injured workers. It limits recoupment to benefits paid within the past year and requires carriers to prove specific conditions (like employee concealment of earnings or clerical errors) before demanding repayment. The bill also caps recoupment at 50% of weekly benefits for clerical errors and prohibits recoupment if employers unreasonably change their position on a worker's disability. Magistrates may waive recoupment if it causes undue harm to the injured worker.
SB 702, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan. It prohibits interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3%. The bill bans wage garnishment, foreclosure, and other aggressive collection tactics for patients eligible for financial assistance under a healthcare facility’s policy. It also restricts selling medical debt to third parties without strict safeguards, requiring debt buyers to follow specific rules and return debt if a patient qualifies for financial help. The law directly affects patients with medical debt, large healthcare facilities, and medical debt collectors.
SB 314 allows county employees who have retired to be re-employed in a county sheriff's office without losing their retirement allowance. It directly affects retired county employees seeking to work in sheriff's offices. The bill amends Michigan's retirement law (MCL 46.12a) to remove the current restriction that would require forfeiting retirement benefits upon re-employment. This change creates a specific exception for sheriff's office positions. The bill passed the legislature on October 23, 2025, with 31 yeas, 4 nays, and 6 excused/not voting.
HB 5286 establishes a formal brownfield redevelopment grant and revolving loan program under Michigan's environmental law. The program provides funding to local governments (counties, cities, townships) for eligible cleanup and redevelopment activities at contaminated properties, including environmental assessments, site remediation, and demolition. Projects must demonstrate measurable economic benefits (like job creation or tax revenue) and environmental benefits (advancing cleanup standards), with grants/loans capped at $2 million per project. Applicants must prove financial capability, show compliance with environmental laws, and avoid being responsible for the site's contamination. The program draws from existing funds like the Clean Michigan Initiative Bond Fund and the State Brownfield Redevelopment Fund.
HB 5181 requires mediation for specific worker's compensation claims before they proceed to formal hearings. It applies directly to workers filing claims for medical benefits only, claims where the worker has returned to work, or claims without an attorney, as well as cases the agency identifies as suitable for mediation. The bill mandates that the agency schedules mediation meetings, provides claimants with clear benefit estimates, and explains their rights before the session. Unresolved claims under $10,000 must go to a small claims division, while larger claims go to a magistrate. Failure to participate in required mediation prevents a party from moving forward with their claim.
HB 4763 amends Michigan's Public Safety Officers Benefit Act (2004 PA 46) to expand eligibility for benefits by modifying the definition of "public safety officer." It specifically adds county medical examiners, deputy county medical examiners, and medical examiner investigators to the list of qualifying roles, alongside existing categories like law enforcement officers and firefighters. The bill also clarifies that "firefighter" now explicitly includes part-time or volunteer members of fire departments. These changes ensure these additional public safety personnel qualify for benefits such as medical coverage and survivor support under the act. The bill was introduced on August 13, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Insurance.
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