Sen. Kevin Hertel

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the fees required for obtaining licenses to operate crematory facilities and to become a crematory operator in Michigan. It amends an existing state law to establish specific application and licensing fees for these roles. The legislation directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to work in or manage cremation services. By setting these fees, the bill aims to create a standardized cost structure for entering the crematory industry.

Maddy summarySB 1071 updates Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to clarify who has the authority to make funeral arrangements and decide on the disposition of a deceased person's body. The bill establishes a priority list for decision-makers, starting with a pre-designated funeral representative, followed by the surviving spouse, and then children, parents, and other relatives in a specific order. It also sets a 72-hour window for locating these individuals after a death; if they cannot be found or do not act within that time, the authority passes to the next person on the list. Additionally, the legislation restricts who can serve as a funeral representative, barring employees of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, or healthcare providers who treated the deceased from holding this role unless they are a surviving spouse or relative.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cemetery owners who operate crematories to install refrigeration units capable of storing deceased bodies at temperatures no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The rule applies to any body that has not been cremated or embalmed within 24 hours of arriving at the facility. However, the requirement is waived if the owner has a contract with a nearby facility within 50 miles that can store the remains, or if the owner operates a funeral home within that same distance. Additionally, the bill mandates that these crematories continue to comply with existing state regulations regarding occupational safety and public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify how funeral directors must report deaths and obtain medical certifications, including specific provisions for infants born alive after attempted abortions. It requires medical certification within 48 hours of death and mandates that death records be filed within 72 hours, while also protecting the privacy of such infants by prohibiting the reporting of identifying information like parental names. Additionally, the legislation defines which facilities are authorized for surgically removing human organs and tissues for transplantation, specifying that these procedures must occur in hospitals, approved facilities, or mortuaries linked to licensed funeral establishments. The bill includes penalties for physicians who fail to certify death records and for individuals who perform organ removals outside of designated locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's insurance code to require health insurers to provide consumers with a plain English summary of their policies and detailed information upon request. The legislation mandates that these summaries clearly explain coverage benefits, costs, exceptions, and renewal terms, while also ensuring policies are printed in a readable font size without highlighting specific text. Additionally, the bill requires insurers to disclose provider network details, professional credentials, and financial arrangements when asked, and it sets specific deadlines for delivering this information to applicants and policyholders.

Maddy summarySB 978 repeals the requirement that health insurers in Michigan provide emergency refills of prescription medications for up to a 30-day supply. This change directly affects insurance companies and their policyholders by removing the obligation to cover such emergency supplies under specific circumstances. The bill eliminates Section 3406w of the state's insurance code, which previously mandated these emergency coverage provisions. Consequently, insurers will no longer be required to grant these specific emergency refill exceptions, leaving the existing formulary and exception processes in Sections 3406o as the primary framework for drug coverage.

Maddy summarySB 974 updates Michigan's insurance code to align with the state's health insurance exchange by clarifying definitions for roles such as navigators and certified application counselors. The bill establishes strict rules requiring these individuals to be state-certified before they can receive funding or assist consumers with health plan enrollment. It explicitly prohibits them from selling insurance or recommending specific plans, ensuring they provide only impartial information about available coverage options. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state director implement a certification program including background checks and privacy training to protect consumer data.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state insurance director to work with the Michigan health insurance exchange to officially certify qualified health and dental plans. It requires the director to create specific rules for this certification process while maintaining the authority to regulate insurance businesses and exempt these plans from certain laws. The legislation defines qualified plans using existing terms from the Michigan health insurance exchange act and includes a provision that it only takes effect if a related companion bill is also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan's department of insurance to request federal permission to create a state-run reinsurance program that helps stabilize health insurance markets. If approved, the program would allow insurers to recover some costs for high-risk patients, potentially lowering premiums and expanding coverage options. The legislation requires the department to share draft plans with the public and lawmakers before submitting a final application to the federal government. Implementation of the program depends on the successful approval of a companion bill, SB 0973, which must also be enacted for this measure to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new nonprofit corporation to operate Michigan's state-based health insurance exchange, which will serve as a marketplace for consumers and small businesses to purchase qualified health plans. The legislation creates a 12-member board to govern the exchange, with members appointed from the insurance industry, consumer advocates, and public officials to oversee its operations. Key provisions include setting up rules for conflict of interest, defining roles for state agencies, and enabling a system for direct enrollment assistance to help consumers navigate the marketplace.