News & Events
MNA Legislative Update #22
12.09.2011
Senate OKs Worker’s Comp Legislation with Changes
This Wednesday, after making some changes to the original legislation, the Senate voted favorably on HB 5002. The bill will now be returned to the House for approval of the new changes before heading to the Governor’s desk for signing. The changes proposed by the Senate include reducing the 45 days of not being able to see your own physician down to 28, exempting police and fire from the bill language altogether, and not docking a worker’s benefits if a job is available outside their area of expertise. If you have not already done so, please go to MNA's legislative action page and send a letter to your state representative asking them not to support the changes to Worker’s Comp.
Snyder Signs Anti-Bullying Legislation
On Tuesday Governor Snyder signed HB 4163, a bill to prevent bullying by having school districts create, implement and enforce strict anti-bullying policies. While the legislation is not as strong as many advocates would have liked, it does not contain the toxic language of the Senate version, which had stated that children who bullied for religious or moral reasons would essentially be excused from being punished for such behavior. Advocates would have liked to see a detailed list of the groups that need protecting from bullying, but that did not come to pass in the final version.
House PAC Deduction Bills Voted Out of Committee and Pass the House
After taking up HB 5085 and HB 5086 in committee on Tuesday, the members voted it out to the full House, where it was placed on third reading. These two bills would prohibit automatic payroll deductions for the purposes of contributing to a PAC. The bills passed the House and will now go to the Senate for a vote. Please call your state senator today and ask them NOT to support this legislation.
House Committee Hears Testimony on Unemployment Legislation
Tuesday was also the day the House Commerce Committee took testimony on several unemployment bills: HB 5185, SB 806, SB 484 and SB 483. The bills address the issue of unemployment benefits and propose changes to existing benefits and how and when they apply and under what circumstances. The bills are proving to be controversial and the committee took more testimony on Thursday. They plan to vote on all of the bills next Tuesday. Please call or write your state representative and ask them NOT to support any of this legislation.
Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health Update
On Tuesday Sen. Rick Jones – R introduced legislation restricting the use of lindane, a pesticide used to treat children’s head lice. SB 867 has been referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee. Introduction of the bill was a bi-partisan effort, which is promising. In addition, the network expects that the Safe Children’s Product Act will be introduced by Sen. Rebekah Warren – D soon.
Help Us Build A Strong PAC!
We need your help to build a strong PAC for 2012! If you haven’t done so already, please get on our website, http://www.minurses.org/legislation/mna-pac, to fill out a form or contact Mariam Robinson at mariam.robinson@minurses.org
