Last Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4511 and HB 4512, aimed at updating Michigan’s child car seat restraint requirements.

HB 4511 (now PA 21 of 2024), aligns Michigan law with federal safety guidelines, providing additional protections for properly restrained children during travel. Sponsored by Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), the bill received support from the Department of State Police and medical professionals, emphasizing the importance of proper child safety restraints in vehicles. Similarly, HB 4512 (now PA 22 of 2024), sponsored by Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), allows courts to waive fines or assessments for child restraint system violations if individuals can demonstrate evidence of receiving education on child safety restraints.

By aligning state standards with federal guidelines and providing avenues for education on child safety restraints, Michigan aims to create a safer environment for families and young passengers during travel.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced new appointments and staff members for key positions in her administration. Marlon Brown will take on the role of Director at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), bringing his extensive experience in public service to the department. Suzanna Shkreli has been selected as the new Commissioner of the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, with a strong background in juvenile justice reform and government service.

Additionally, several promotions and hires have been made within the executive office, including Shelia Marshall-Curtis as Chief Compliance Officer and Vignesh Meyyappan as Associate Legal Counsel.

Former acting commissioner of the Lottery, Jessica Weare, has accepted a new position within state government.

Governor Grecthen Whitmer has announced several more appointments to various boards and commissions. Among others, commissions of note include the Michigan Board of Medicine, Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, Health Information Technology Commission, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.

¶Appointments Include:

Michigan Board of Medicine:

• Hassan F. Abdallah: Representing the general public (Succeeds Teresa Robinson)
• Dr. Abdulghani Sankari: Representing physicians (Succeeds Donald Tynes)
• Aurelia Gooden: Representing the general public (Succeeds Mary Stearns)

Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants

• Dr. Mustafa Mark Hamed: Representing the Board of Medicine (Succeeds Bryan Little)

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services:

• Dr. Yasmina Bouraoui: Representing disability advocacy groups (Succeeds Khodr Farhat)

Health Information Technology Commission:

• Rex Menold: Representing the designee of the Director of DTMB (Succeeds Jack Harris)

Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice:

• Carol S. Jackson: Representing experience in tribal law enforcement and tribal communities (Succeeds Judge Allie Maldonado)

Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing:

• Gerid Adams: Designated as chair