April 10, 2014
“Good dental health contributes to good overall health. Children and seniors are among our most vulnerable residents and they are also the most common customers of mobile dental facilities,” Snyder said. “Raising the quality of care delivered by these facilities will help ensure all Michiganders receive the services needed to live healthy lives.”
Mobile dental facilities travel to schools, head-start centers and nursing homes on a regular basis delivering diagnostic and preventative services to patients. However, they often do not return to the same locations and local dentists have experienced difficulty contacting them to retrieve X-rays, patient information and payment records.
House Bill 4865, sponsored by state Rep. Peter MacGregor, requires mobile dental facilities to establish relationships with local area dentists to ensure patients are referred for proper follow-up dental procedures and improved treatment. Owners of these facilities must apply for a permit through the Department of Community Health. The bill also defines appropriate equipment and supplies for a mobile dental facility.
The bill is now Public Act 100 of 2014.
The governor also signed 13 other bills today.
Senate Bills 547-549 and 551, sponsored by state Sen. Darwin Booher, modernize the process of payment by checks and other paper instruments to comply with updated technologies and payment systems. The bills also bring Michigan in line with other states to better facilitate commercial transactions across state lines. They are now PAs 101-103 and 104, respectively.
HB 5119, sponsored by state Rep. Rob VerHeulen, increases consumer protection and amends existing law to foster uniformity of monetary transfer laws across states. The bill revises language used to define fund transfers and electronic fund transfers bringing Michigan in line with federal definitions. It is now PA 105.
SB 641, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Kowall, simplifies the process for real estate brokers and salespersons to become relicensed following the expiration of their current license. Continuing education courses no longer need to be pre-approved by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs but the bill allows for audit upon completion of the relicensing courses. It is now PA 106.
SB 820, sponsored by state Sen. Joe Hune, updates language referencing Certificate of Need Commission members. The new language now aligns the statute with previous changes made to the nonprofit status of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. It is now PA 107.
HBs 4288 and 4292, sponsored by state Reps. Frank Foster and MacGregor, respectively, clarify the circumstances under which the Department of Treasury can issue an indirect audit of a business. Indirect audits are only allowed in cases where a business fails to keep sufficient records. Sufficient records are defined as records that meet the department's need to determine taxes due. The bills are now PAs 108 and 109.
HB 4467, also sponsored by Foster, clarifies the definition of a service contract creating a better business environment in Michigan. A service contract is not classified as insurance and is defined as separately purchased contract lasting for a specific duration that provides for repayment, replacement or repairs on consumer products in cases of operational or structural failure. It is now PA 110.
HBs 4907 and 4908, sponsored by state Rep. John Walsh, amend the Michigan Penal Code by removing redundancies in sentencing guidelines for arson at the location of a mine, hotel, lodging or any place of public abode. They also expand arson related sentencing guidelines to include the preparation and intent to commit arson. A person is subject to misdemeanor penalties for intentionally burning, damaging or destroying personal property having a value of less than $1,000. They are now PAs 111 and 112, respectively.
HB 5282, sponsored by state Rep. Al Pscholka, creates the Security Act for Nuclear Energy Facilities allowing security officers at nuclear energy facilities to use physical force and in some cases deadly force when facing death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault of oneself or another individual. The stipulations are in comparison to the same types of responses a citizen may use to protect a home or business. The bill also requires warnings to be posted at entrances to and perimeters of nuclear facilities. It is now PA 113.
For more information on legislation, visit legislature.michigan.gov
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