FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

October 8, 2024 

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Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills to Protect Home Care Workers’ Rights, Expand Access to Healthcare in Rural Michigan, and More 

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed 17 bills into law. These bills bolster Governor Whitmer’s commitment to making Michigan the best place to live, work, and invest by ensuring our Michiganders have the support they need to thrive whether they’re going to work or accessing healthcare. These bills work to increase access to vital services and put more money back in Michiganders’ pockets.  

“These bills will make a real difference in people’s lives by expanding access to healthcare, protecting workers’ rights, and putting money back in Michiganders’ pockets,” said Governor Whitmer. “From ensuring 35,000 home care workers can bargain for better pay and benefits to ensuring every Michigander can access quality healthcare regardless of their zip code, let’s keep working together to make sure that everyone can make it in Michigan.” 

Senate Bill 790 and 791, sponsored by state Senators Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) and Sylvia A. Santana (D-Detroit) allows individual home help caregivers in Michigan to unionize. These bills will support workforce development, expand training, and restore bargaining rights for 35,000 home care workers in Michigan.  

“From automotive factories to the food service industry, we’ve seen that workers can negotiate for better wages and working conditions when they’re united together as one. Individual home care workers deserve nothing less than the ability to collectively bargain just as workers in all other sectors have,” said state Senator Kevin Hertel. “With this legislation, we are ensuring these essential workers have the tools they need to secure higher wages, better benefits, and pathways for professional development. They’ve been there for our families when we’ve needed them most; this is our opportunity to be there for them.” 

“With the signing of Senate Bill 791 and its companion SB 790, we’re providing essential support to our home care workers. These caregivers are a vital part of the safety net for our most vulnerable residents, and their contributions to our communities cannot be overstated,” said state Senator Sylvia Santana. “Thank you to the Governor and my colleagues in the Legislature for helping deliver such crucial support to our caregivers.” 

Senate Bill 701, sponsored by state Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) supports health care access in rural Michigan by amending restrictions on the funding Michigan hospitals can receive. The bill eliminates the definition of “critical access hospital” and modifies the definition of “rural hospital.” It also raises the population limit to be considered a “rural hospital” to include counties with 195,000 people or less, adding Livingston, Muskegon, and Saginaw counties to the rural hospital pool.  

“It is critical that we ensure our rural hospitals have the funding and resources they need to provide quality care to the communities that rely on them,” said state Senator Sam Singh. “The legislation signed by Gov. Whitmer today ensures equitable funding for Memorial Healthcare and the many other hospitals across our state serving rural communities.” 

Senate Bill 817, sponsored by state Senator John Cherry (D-Flint) provides supplemental appropriations for outdoor recreation from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), including 18 land acquisition projects and 35 development projects. This investment bolsters Governor Whitmer’s efforts to build and preserve Michigan’s outdoors and ensure present and future Michiganders will be able to enjoy all pure Michigan has to offer. 

“Michigan’s natural resources are more than just landscapes—they’re the foundation of our identity and the key to our future prosperity,” said state Senator John Cherry. “Through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, we’re not only preserving the beauty and health of our state but also enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for all Michiganders. These investments ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy and benefit from Michigan’s rich natural heritage.”   

Senate Bill 351, sponsored by state Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), strengthens protections against discrimination for individuals who are currently breastfeeding. This bill supports parents and their ability to provide the care their children need in any given setting.  

“The freedom to express breastmilk is critical to maintaining a healthy supply for babies,” said state Senator Jeff Irwin. “This law expands the Breastfeeding Anti-discrimination Act to include protections for people who need to pump in public settings.” 

Senate Bill 150, sponsored by state Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), allows the small claims division of the Michigan Tax Tribunal to conduct hearings virtually. This change removes the barriers imposed by travel times and cost for claimants and other participants, ensuring everyone has equal access to Michigan’s small claims hearings.  

“With the signing of Senate Bill 150, we’re providing a smart and simple technological solution to save time and money for all parties involved in a small claims hearing with the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” said state Senator Stephanie Chang. “In addition to thanking the governor for signing this into law, I want extend my gratitude to former Tribunal Member and former state Senator, Judge Steve Bieda, for sparking the initial idea for this commonsense bill.”   

Senate Bill 366, sponsored by state Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), brings Michigan in line with federal natural gas safety violation fine amounts, protecting public health and safety for Michiganders across the state.    

"By strengthening the Michigan Public Service Commission's authority to address violations of the Gas Safety Standards, we're increasing accountability for our natural gas providers and safeguarding Michigan's citizens from harmful incidents," said state Senator Sean McCann. "This important legislation brings Michigan up to par with other states and federal fining authorities, helping ensure continued state-level regulation of our natural gas transmission and distribution systems. I want to thank the MPSC for bringing it to our attention." 

Senate Bill 744, sponsored by state Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), modifies the requirements for a teacher to successfully complete their probationary employment period. 

Senate Bill 926/Senate Bill 931/Senate Bill 933/Senate Bill 934, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), work to make our communities safer by providing $4 million more per year in funding towards expanding Michigan’s gaming and gambling prevention programming. These bills address the significant social, economic, and public health implications gambling has on our communities by prioritizing early intervention initiatives for Michigan youth and investing in resources that promote responsible gaming.   

Senate Bill 928, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), eliminates a clause that would allow Medicaid to not fully cover birth expenses, saving thousands of Michiganders money and time spent on the phone with insurance. The changes enacted by this bill could fully cover approximately 66,000 unwed births, making sure single or unmarried moms get money back in their pockets to pay their bills, buy groceries, and afford childcare.  

Senate Bill 929, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), repurposes Medicaid funding to eventually allow low-income Michiganders access to a broader range of care centers. This bill bolsters Governor Whitmer’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can “Make it in Michigan” by lowering costs for Michiganders, increasing pay for health care workers, and expanding access to health care for low-income individuals.  

Senate Bill 932, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), extends families’ access to cash assistance from the Family Independence Program (FIP) from 48 months to 60 months. Giving families this extra flexibility and time to raise their child puts money back into the pockets of hard-working Michiganders to care for their children. 

Senate Bill 935, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), sunsets the Raise the Age Fund which was previously used to reimburse counties for the cost of juvenile justice services. The Raise the Age Fund is part of a larger legislative package known as Raise the Age which ensures youth under the age of 17 are placed in juvenile correctional facilities rather than adult correctional facilities. 

“Maintaining a well-balanced budget that truly delivers for the people of Michigan is a year-round responsibility, one that requires both nuance and close attention to detail. Every dollar we allocate is an investment in essential services — like education, infrastructure, and health care — that directly improve the quality of life for Michiganders,” said state Senator Sarah Anthony, Chairwoman of Senate Appropriations. “I’m grateful to have strong partners in the Legislature and Governor Whitmer. Setting aside political gamesmanship in favor of genuine collaboration will always lead to meaningful, long-lasting investments in our state’s future. Today and every day, I remain committed to ensuring Michigan is funded in a way that equitably and responsibly promotes growth and opportunity for everyone.” 

Senate Bill 716, sponsored by state Senator Veroncia Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), provides historical vehicle owners the opportunity to obtain personalized license plates.  

“Here in Detroit, there’s nothing we’re prouder of than being known as the city who put the world on wheels,” said state Senator Veronica Klinefelt. “By allowing individuals to personalize their historic vehicle plates, folks across our state can celebrate this legacy in a meaningful and personal way, paying tribute to the innovation and craftsmanship that made Michigan the heart of the automotive industry.”