SB 227 amends Michigan's child care laws to update and clarify the definitions of various facilities and staff members regulated by the state. The bill specifically revises how "child care staff" and "child caring institution staff" are identified, setting age thresholds at 16 and 18 years old respectively for individuals who work with or have unsupervised access to children. It also provides more precise definitions for specific settings like children's therapeutic group homes, which are limited to caring for no more than six minors with developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbances. These changes aim to ensure that the legal framework accurately reflects the roles and responsibilities of those working in licensed child care environments.
This bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover telemedicine services at the same level as in-person visits, ensuring patients do not face higher costs or reduced benefits for remote care. Under the new rules, insurers cannot mandate face-to-face contact for services that are clinically appropriate to deliver via secure audio or video technology, provided the healthcare professional is licensed in the patient's state. The law applies to all health insurance policies delivered or renewed in Michigan and defines telemedicine as remote communication using interactive audio, video, or store-and-forward messaging systems. While insurers retain the right to set standard copayments and deductibles, they must allow coverage for telemedicine without requiring physical examinations unless specifically needed for clinical safety.
This bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It mandates that insurers cannot deny coverage for remote care if the service is appropriate and provided by a licensed professional in the patient's state. The law defines telemedicine as remote communication using secure audio or video technology or online messaging. While patients still pay the same copays and deductibles as they would for a physical appointment, the insurance coverage itself must be equal to that of face-to-face care.
This bill creates a new program to enforce federal standards for asbestos emissions during building renovations and demolitions in Michigan. It requires owners or operators to pay a $100 notification fee and a $10 modification fee for each change to their project plans, with public entities allowed to pass these costs to contractors under certain conditions. The state will use the collected fees to fund mandatory inspections, starting with 15% of projects in 2023 and 2024, and gradually increasing to 25% of projects by 2027. All revenue generated from these fees will be deposited into a dedicated state fund used exclusively for asbestos-related inspection activities.
This bill requires that Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients who use remote medical services by ensuring financial parity between virtual and physical appointments. The legislation does not alter existing rules about where telehealth can be conducted or who must verify patient eligibility, but it specifically mandates equal payment rates for these services.
This bill updates Michigan's licensing rules for speech-language pathologists to allow individuals with specific advanced degrees and clinical training to obtain a full license. It creates a pathway for teachers who were certified in speech and language impairment as of 2009 to transition into licensed speech-language pathologists if they meet current requirements. Additionally, the legislation permits candidates to apply for a temporary license to complete their required supervised clinical experience, which can be renewed once under specific conditions. The changes ensure that all licensed practitioners meet standardized educational and examination criteria while providing flexibility for those already working in related educational roles.
This bill requires local governments and land bank authorities in Michigan to include specific clauses in contracts with asbestos abatement and demolition contractors. Under the new rules, these public entities can withhold payment if a contractor, subcontractor, or their team enters into or begins negotiating an administrative consent order for environmental violations related to asbestos projects. Additionally, the bill mandates that contractors must disclose any existing or pending legal orders from environmental agencies to the hiring government body before work begins. These measures aim to ensure that contractors adhere to environmental regulations by creating financial incentives for compliance and transparency.
This bill updates Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs to expand coverage for telemedicine services, specifically clarifying that visits originating from a patient's home or school are covered. It defines a "distant site" as the location of the healthcare professional providing the service, allowing for both audio-only and video interactions. The legislation requires providers to verify patient eligibility, ensure a private environment for the visit, and follow clinical guidelines while prohibiting restrictions on reimbursement rates or technology that are more strict than those for in-person care. Additionally, it ensures that services delivered through federally qualified health centers are eligible for reimbursement and mandates that managed care programs include these telemedicine services in their rate development.
This bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to clarify definitions and requirements for individuals working as emergency medical services personnel, such as paramedics and emergency medical technicians. It mandates that education program sponsors must inform students if their training programs lack specific accreditation before they begin paramedic courses. Additionally, the law requires that all licensing examinations for these roles be administered by nationally recognized organizations approved by the state department. These changes aim to standardize training quality and ensure clear communication about program credentials for those seeking licensure.
This bill directs Michigan's Supreme Court to analyze trial court costs and create a new funding system for local courts. It requires the court to calculate the operational expenses of each trial court and develop a standardized fee schedule for individuals based on their specific case type, rather than the time it takes to resolve them. The legislation also mandates the creation of a debt collection system for unpaid court fees and asks the court to propose legislative changes to improve how trial courts are funded. Local governments and various state departments will be involved in the analysis to determine how much existing funding must be maintained while identifying any additional financial needs.
This bill modifies Michigan's drug treatment court rules to clarify that violent offenders are generally ineligible for admission unless specific exceptions are met. Under the new provisions, a judge and prosecutor must consult with any known victims before allowing a violent offender to enter the program, and individuals currently charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or certain sexual offenses are automatically excluded. The legislation also outlines detailed requirements for pre-admission screening, which must include a review of criminal history, an assessment of potential danger to the community, and a clinical evaluation of substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill ensures that information gathered during this screening process remains confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.
This bill modifies Michigan law to restrict who can be admitted to mental health courts by explicitly banning violent offenders from participation. Specifically, it prohibits admission for individuals charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unless both the judge and the prosecutor agree to an exception. The legislation also clarifies that admission remains a discretionary decision for courts based on legal and clinical eligibility rather than a guaranteed right. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for pre-admission screenings, which must include reviews of criminal history, risk assessments, and clinical evaluations of serious mental health conditions. Information gathered during these screenings is kept confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.
