September 6, 2019

	In This Update:
	Lawmakers Greet Michigan Bishops at State Capitol Luncheon Suicide Commission Bill Reported by House Committee Abuse Prevention Discussion Continues in House Full Senate to Consider Vulnerable Adult Package House Committee Passes Inmate Medicaid Coverage Resolution

	Lawmakers Greet Michigan Bishops at State Capitol Luncheon
	This week, members of the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) Board of Directors (which includes the bishops of each arch/diocese in the state) met with lawmakers at the State Capitol in Lansing. All 148 members of the Michigan House and Senate, their staff, and other state elected officials were invited to attend and to have the opportunity to meet the bishops. Bishops from five of the seven Michigan arch/dioceses were able to attend, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Marquette, and Saginaw.

	Suicide Commission Bill Reported by House Committee
	Earlier in the summer, the State Senate voted to continue forward legislation that would create a Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission. Senate Bill 228, sponsored by Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), details the groups and individuals that would be represented on the committee, as well as the purpose of the commission: to research the causes of suicide and present recommendations for addressing risk factors. This week, the House Health Policy Committee also voted 18-1 to approve the legislation, which will now be referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. MCC has supported the legislation throughout the process, to improve the life-affirming support and care that is available to Michiganders and to reduce suicide rates in the state.

	Abuse Prevention Discussion Continues in House
	Earlier this week, the House Judiciary Committee reported out two measures, House Bills 4370 and 4371, which would require health professionals to keep medical records for at least fifteen years on procedures or treatments that involve penetration in male and female sensitive areas. The measures also require the Michigan Board of Medicine and four other medical boards to create a pamphlet on proper protocols during these types of sensitive procedures. The proposal would include exemptions for gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological and sexual health services, and doctors taking a young child's temperature. MCC supports the bills, sponsored by Representatives Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Twp.) and Roger Hauck (R-Mt. Pleasant), which provide more comprehensive education about sensitive procedures and set clear standards for what is acceptable treatment and what is not. Both measures will be transmitted now to the full House. Additionally, House Bills 4372-4373 were voted out of the Michigan House of Representatives with nearly unanimous, bipartisan support. Under the legislation sponsored by Representatives Daire Rendon (R-Lake City) and Annette Glenn (R-Williams Township), health professionals convicted of "sexual penetration under the pretext of medical treatment" would face sanctions and have their professional license or registration revoked. More on these measures, which now continue to the Senate for further committee testimony, is available in last week's Lansing Update.

	Full Senate to Consider Vulnerable Adult Package
	This week, the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee passed four measures unanimously to protect vulnerable Michiganders, each sponsored by Senator Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp). Senate Bills 108 and 109 would designate as a crime the assault and battery of a vulnerable adult, while also establishing penalties and sentencing guidelines for proposed misdemeanor and felony violations. Senate Bills 412 and 413 would strengthen penalties for the crime of embezzlement against a vulnerable adult. As defined in Michigan law, adults are generally considered vulnerable if they are over the age of eighteen AND require supervision or personal care, or if they lack the personal and social skills required to live independently, because of age, developmental disability, mental illness, or physical disability. Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) supported the measures, recognizing the dignity of vulnerable adults and the need for special protections for their safety. The bills now will be sent to the full Senate.

	House Committee Passes Inmate Medicaid Coverage Resolution
	The House Judiciary Committee considered a measure for the second week in a row that would urge the U.S. Congress to support Medicaid coverage for jail and prison inmates. House Resolution 0093 of 2019, sponsored by Representative Hank Vaupel (R-Handy Township), passed the committee by an 11-2 vote and continues now to the full House of Representatives. Read more about this legislation in last week's Lansing Update. If this email was forwarded to you, please click here to join the Catholic Advocacy Network, which will enable you to receive regular electronic updates and alerts. For other news and information, click here to follow MCC on Twitter, like MCC on Facebook, follow MCC on Instagram, or visit MCC's webpage.

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