Michigan House Bill 6293 establishes the MiNURSES program within the state health department to increase the recruitment, placement, and retention of primary care nurses in rural and urban underserved areas. The bill provides financial assistance for nursing education loans or scholarships to nurses who agree to a two-year service obligation working full-time in designated underserved locations. Payments are made as lump sums at the end of each year of service, funded by a new state treasury account that can receive money from various sources. An advisory commission is created to make recommendations on program operations, and the department must publish an annual report detailing the program's cost-effectiveness, successes, and challenges.
Michigan House Bill 6321 enhances the regulatory standards for adult foster care facilities by requiring the state department to publish online information regarding facility ownership, staff-to-resident ratios, and a five-year history of violations. The bill mandates that facilities post clear complaint procedures and provide new residents with written notices detailing their rights, medication policies, and the distinction between foster care and nursing home services. Additionally, it establishes specific resident rights, including the ability to review health records and past satisfaction surveys, while requiring facilities to maintain a documented internal complaint process that responds to grievances within seven business days.
Michigan House Bill 6319 amends the state's Mental Health Code to expand the legal definition of a "mental health professional" to include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. This change allows these three groups of healthcare providers to perform specific clinical functions previously reserved for physicians or psychiatrists, such as conducting physical examinations for involuntary treatment petitions and authorizing the use of physical restraints or seclusion in mental health facilities. The bill also updates related definitions and procedural requirements throughout the code to ensure these new professionals are recognized in contexts involving patient rights, court hearings, and facility safety protocols.
Michigan House Bill 6310 amends state watercraft laws to allow local governments to request temporary "no wake" or reduced speed zones year-round, rather than limiting these orders to the summer season. The bill permits county emergency management coordinators or sheriffs to establish these temporary limits for up to 14 days at a time to protect life and property during emergencies, with fines capped at $500 for repeat violations. It also clarifies that vessel operators must maintain slow speeds within 100 feet of shorelines where water depth is less than three feet, while allowing the governor to impose restricted wake zones during declared state disasters.
Michigan House Bill 6283 modifies the licensing requirements for barber colleges by reducing the minimum number of full-time licensed instructors required from two to one. The bill clarifies that at least one instructor must be present during classroom study or theory training, while practical training requires one instructor for every thirty students. It also updates language regarding student instructors acting as substitutes in emergencies and allows barber colleges and cosmetology schools to share facilities within the same building.
Michigan House Bill 6317 establishes a legal framework for community cat programs by defining free-roaming cats without visible identification as "community cats" and exempting them from state and local licensing, at-large, and feeding restrictions. The bill authorizes program sponsors to release these cats back into their original locations after they have been sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, and ear-tipped, a process that must be performed while the animal is anesthetized. Individuals who care for these cats are legally protected from being classified as owners or possessors, which prevents them from violating local pet ownership limits, though they remain subject to existing laws prohibiting animal cruelty and neglect. Sponsors and caretakers are required to maintain sterilization and vaccination records for at least three years and make reasonable efforts to arrange veterinary care for sick or injured animals.
This bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.
Michigan House Bill 6322 establishes mandatory training standards for unlicensed direct care staff working in adult foster care facilities. The bill requires new hires to complete specific courses within 120 days of being hired, covering topics such as empathy for the aging process, resident rights, dementia care, and identifying abuse. It also mandates annual continuing education and specialized medication administration training for staff who assist residents with taking their medicines. Facilities must maintain detailed records of all training completion and ensure that no staff member has unsupervised contact with a resident until the required initial courses are finished.
Michigan House Bill 6306 expands the state's consumer protection laws by introducing higher civil fines for businesses that target elderly individuals or vulnerable adults with deceptive practices. The bill defines an elder person as someone aged 80 or older and a vulnerable adult as an individual requiring supervision due to age, disability, or mental illness, subjecting violators to penalties of up to $50,000 per violation if the conduct is persistent and knowing. Additionally, the legislation creates a revolving enforcement and education fund in the state treasury, which will be financed by attorney fees, costs, and unclaimed damages recovered from consumer protection and antitrust cases. This fund will support the Department of Attorney General's efforts to enforce these laws and educate the public on consumer rights.
Effective October 1, 2026, Michigan courts are required to publish specific performance metrics on their websites to improve transparency regarding case management. The bill mandates that each court display its failure-to-appear rate and fugitive rate, which measure the proportion of defendants or supervised individuals who miss scheduled court dates or escape supervision. Additionally, courts must list the total number of active warrants they hold, categorized separately by traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses.
Michigan House Bill 6315 amends the state's employment security act to clarify the powers of the unemployment insurance agency when investigating employers. The primary provision prohibits the agency from requiring an employing unit to provide books, records, or papers in a different format than how they currently exist, effectively limiting administrative burdens on businesses. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and stylistic edits to existing sections regarding subpoenas, witness testimony, and court enforcement procedures to improve clarity without changing their substantive legal effect.
Michigan House Bill 6294 creates a new individual income tax credit for health care professionals who serve as preceptors for student clinical rotations at approved state institutions. For tax years between 2027 and 2031, eligible preceptors can claim $1,000 for every 250 hours of supervision completed, with a maximum annual credit of $3,000. To qualify, the professional must not receive any other payment for their preceptor services and must submit certified documentation verifying their hours when filing their tax return. Any portion of the credit that exceeds the taxpayer's total tax liability for the year will be refunded to them.
