Michigan Senate Bill 1144 amends the state's child protection law to expand the role of children's advocacy centers in investigating cases involving sexual exploitation, abuse, and neglect. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to involve these centers when available during investigations into serious harm, death, or methamphetamine exposure. It also updates reporting mandates for mandated reporters, such as medical professionals and teachers, to include specific timelines for filing written reports and new procedures for sharing information with law enforcement and child care regulatory agencies. Additionally, the legislation refines the criteria for placing individuals on a central registry of confirmed perpetrators and establishes administrative processes for those individuals to request record amendments or removals.
Michigan Senate Bill 1161 amends the state's safe delivery of newborns law to allow parents to anonymously surrender infants not only directly to emergency service providers but also to newly authorized "newborn safety devices." These devices, which must be installed at staffed fire stations or police departments, are required to lock securely, provide a controlled environment for the infant, and alert on-duty staff within 30 seconds of use. The bill establishes strict maintenance and inspection protocols for these devices, including monthly testing and liability rules for manufacturers if defects cause injury. It also updates procedural requirements for child placing agencies and courts, ensuring that surrendered infants are transferred to hospitals for medical examination and that parents have a 28-day window to petition for custody before parental rights can be terminated.
This resolution declares September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month in the state of Michigan, recognizing the national observance and emphasizing the importance of community support. It encourages residents to promote awareness, compassion, and connection while highlighting the availability of resources such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The bill also honors those affected by suicide and acknowledges the work of mental health professionals and local organizations dedicated to prevention efforts.
This resolution declares September 21-25, 2026, as PFAS Awareness Week in Michigan to highlight the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the state's environment. It notes that over one million residents rely on private wells and that contamination has been identified at hundreds of sites across industrial, military, and landfill locations. The measure encourages residents to seek reliable information to make informed decisions about their drinking water and consumption of locally caught fish. Copies of the resolution will be sent to state environmental, health, and PFAS response agencies to support these public awareness efforts.
Michigan Senate Bill 1152 establishes a new Basic Health Program to provide health coverage for low-income residents who do not qualify for Medicaid or affordable employer-sponsored insurance. The program targets individuals aged 65 and under with incomes between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, as well as lawfully present noncitizens earning below 200% of that threshold. Key provisions include automatic enrollment for those transitioning from Medicaid, a requirement that no premiums be charged to individuals earning less than 133% of the poverty line, and the creation of a dedicated state trust fund to manage program finances. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with developing a program blueprint in consultation with a new stakeholder advisory group before seeking federal certification.
Michigan House Bill 6337 would prohibit insurers from using genetic information to cancel universal life insurance coverage or as a basis for pricing and underwriting. The bill, which applies to policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2027, also bans requiring applicants or policyholders to undergo genetic testing, including full genomic sequencing, as a condition of obtaining coverage. Additionally, insurers must obtain signed written consent before accessing, using, retaining, or disclosing sensitive medical data such as genetic information. However, the legislation allows insurers to continue using existing health records for underwriting purposes, provided those records were not obtained through new genetic testing mandated by the insurer.
This resolution declares October 16, 2026, as Mammography Day in Michigan to highlight the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection. It notes that while mammograms can identify cancers years before they are physically detectable, a significant portion of eligible women in the state remain overdue for their recommended screenings. The bill encourages residents to consult with health care providers about their individual risk levels and utilize available screening resources, including programs designed to assist low-income or uninsured individuals.
Michigan Senate Bill 1158 requires health insurance policies to cover cranial hair prostheses for individuals under 19 who experience hair loss due to a medical condition or its treatment. The mandated coverage is capped at $3,000 over a 36-month period and includes both human and synthetic substitutes. The bill ensures that this specific benefit cannot be subject to deductibles, coinsurance, or dollar limits that are less favorable than those applied to other prosthetic devices.
HB 6405 amends Michigan's public health code to allow licensed healthcare professionals, including physician assistants, to delegate specific medical tasks to other individuals who are qualified by education or experience. The bill permits physicians to assign surgical procedures involving instruments to unlicensed students in approved medical or physician assistant programs, provided a licensed physician is physically present and directly supervising the procedure. It also authorizes the delegation of certain surgical tasks to unlicensed surgical technologists and first assistants if their specific health facility has authorized the practice and established qualifications for those roles. Regulatory boards retain the authority to restrict these delegations if they pose a danger to patient safety or to require closer supervision for certain categories of workers.
Michigan House Bill 6326 prohibits licensed health professionals from using advertisements or name tags that contain false or misleading information about their profession, skills, training, education, or certifications. The bill requires that any advertisement or visible name tag prominently display the specific health profession for which the individual is licensed in a font size and style that is easily readable by the public. It also bans non-physician licensees from holding themselves out as having titles associated with physician medical specialties or subspecialties. Violations of these new advertising standards are treated as unethical business practices, subjecting offenders to disciplinary action under existing state health code provisions.
