Updates About Legislation

A package of bills that have been finalized by the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force (EATF) received their first hearing on Wednesday, September 27, in the House Judiciary Committee. The EATF, formed in 2019, has more than 100 members and 55 organizations organized to create access to training and information, as well as advocating for legislation to protect the elderly. The package of bills introduced are set to be a part of their initiatives to implement protections for the elderly.

House Bills 4909, 4910, 4911, 4912, and 5047 would amend several provisions in the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) as it pertains to guardians and conservators in Michigan. Notable changes include requiring professionals to be licensed and certified, establishing advisory and demonstrative bodies to handle certification and licensure, setting asset/income threshold for the appointment of a conservator, requiring visitation frequency, updating duties of a guardian ad litem for proceedings, and improving protections for those facing guardian/conservatorship as well as family members involved in the process.

On August 30, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her “What’s Next Address” and discussed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) being a priority for this fall. This comes after Michigan voters overwhelmingly supported the passage of Proposal 3, which legalized abortion in Michigan after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

Despite abortion being legal in Michigan, many wanted to see additional legislation that aims to protect access to abortion services and repeal current laws that add hurdles to those seeking and providing abortion services. A bill package of 11 bills was recently introduced which seek to remove these laws from Michigan statute. Just this week, the bills received a testimony only committee hearing in the House Health Policy Committee. Our McCall Hamilton team anticipates they will move quickly through the legislative process.

Beginning on June 30, Michigan will enact a new “hands-free” distracted driving law. While Michigan currently has a law against texting and driving, this new law will include stricter guidelines on what the phone can be used for while operating a vehicle.

In addition to texting, this law will prohibit drivers from holding their cell phone while making a call, recording or watching videos, and using social media while driving. A campaign raising awareness of this new law is expected in the near future.

This law does not include using a screen on the dashboard for changing music and navigation, mounts for cell phones, and making emergency calls. This law also does not include CB radios, two-way radios, and insulin pumps.