News & Events
MNA Legislative Update #19
11.04.2011
Worker’s Comp Bill Passes the House
This Wednesday, November 2nd, the House of Representatives passed HB 5002, a bill to change Michigan’s Workers’ Disability Compensation Act of 1969. This bill will remove important guidelines and protections that have benefitted workers across the state for over four decades. Some of the changes include defining the term “disability” as a limitation on an employee’s wage earning capacity in work suitable to his or her qualifications and training resulting from a personal injury or work-related disease. Another change would be defining “wage earning capacity” as the wages the employee earns or is capable of earning, whether or not actually earned. Additionally, if an employee establishes an initial showing of a disability and wage loss under the provisions cited above, the employer bears the burden of production of evidence to refute the employee’s showing. These are just a few of the sweeping changes and loss of protections that are outlined in the bill. To read the full bill, as well as the legislative analysis of the proposals, click here. Please contact your state senator today and tell them NOT to support HB 5002, because it doesn’t protect you or your fellow workers.
Auto No-Fault Changes Still in the Works
Speculation and discussion continue to circulate around HB 4936, a bill to make severe changes to Michigan’s Auto No-Fault Law. We will continue to monitor the situation at the Capitol as the issue moves in the legislative process. Currently, the bill has passed out of the Insurance Committee and was slated for 2nd reading on October 13th. No other movement has occurred.If you have not already done so, please get on our website, www.minurses.org, and take a minute to send your senator and your representative a letter asking them NOT to support HB 4936 or any other legislation that proposes changes to our Auto No-Fault system.
Helmet Law Repeal Passes the House
SB 291 passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 2nd, much to the delight of motorcycle enthusiasts across the state. Because changes were made to the bill while it was in the House, it will now go back to the Senate for further review and a second round of voting. SB 291 allows motorcycle riders 21 and older to ride without a helmet, provided they secure $20,000 worth of personal medical insurance for themselves. The Congress on Public Policy voted to oppose this legislation because nurses have seen how often helmets save lives. Call your state senator today and ask them NOT to support SB 291.
Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Hears Testimony on HB 4059
The Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee took testimony on HB 4059 this Tuesday, November 1st. Remember, HB 4059 passed the House of Representatives back in April and is a bill to prohibit public employers from offering paid release time to employees for the purpose of conducting union business. Call your state senator today and ask them to vote NO on HB 4059.
Senate Passes Anti-Bullying Bill: SB 137
This Wednesday, November 2nd, the Senate passed SB 137, an anti-bullying piece of legislation. While at first glance this may appear to be a positive step forward in working to address the growing bullying problem in schools across our state, that is actually NOT the case. In the bill, Senate Republicans passed language that essentially gives kids permission to bully if it is for religious or moral reasons. The Congress on Public Policy voted to support anti-bullying legislation at a past meeting, but only if the bill language left no loopholes for bullying to continue under any circumstances. The Senate named the legislation after Matt Epling, a child who took his own life after being severely bullied at school. Matt’s father did not approve of the SB 137 language because of the loopholes that were in it. In spite of his input and strong Democratic objections, the Senate Republicans passed the bill anyway. Call your state representative today and tell them NOT to support this pro-bullying piece of legislation.
Contribute to the MNA-PAC
It is now November and the year is rapidly drawing to an end, so it’s time to renew your PAC contribution form for 2012. Please check out our website, www.minurses.org, and click on MNA PAC under Legislation and Politics to print out a copy of the 2012 PAC contribution form. If you would rather have a form mailed to you at your home address, please contact Mariam Robinson at mariam.robinson@minurses.org.
