Legislation

Senate Bills 618-624 A package of bills to remove the cap on charter schools, to allow a charter school to operate at more than one site (prohibited under current law), expand schools of choice among traditional public schools and expand dual enrollment opportunities and online education programs for all children, including those who are homeschooled …

House Bills 4143 and 4147, Also Senate Bills 612-614 Requires individuals who purchase health insurance through the new state health exchange programs authorized by the new federal healthcare law, to purchase a separate rider to cover the cost of abortion services.

Senate Bill 435 Increases the age of eligibility for foster care support from the age of 18 to 21 in specific circumstances. Specifically, if the child (a ward of the state) resides in a foster home or other approved setting and is enrolled full-time in a college program, apprenticeship or job training program, foster care …

Senate Bills 545-549 Creates incentives for engaged couples to participate in premarital education programs, removes obstacles to clergy providing marriage and family counseling, requires divorcing couples with children to participate in a divorce education program and encourages them to develop a post-divorce parenting plan. Sponsors: SB 545 Sen. John Gleason, SB 546 & 549 Sen. …

Senate Bill 518, House Bill 4140 Prohibits a public university from punishing a counseling or psychology student who will not counsel a client to engage in activity that violates the student counselor’s religious beliefs. Sponsor: Sen. Tupac Hunter, Rep. Joe Haveman Status: Senate and House Education Committees MFF Position: Supports

House Bill 4249 Allows a second adult, not married to the parent of a child, to adopt the child. The second parent could be a relative, a family friend or a live-in partner and would presumably provide the child with additional benefits such as healthcare, greater household income and a legal parent in case of …

Senate Bill 150 Requires abortion providers to provide abortion-minded clients with an opportunity to view the ultrasound on the most up-to-date imiaging equipment available at the facility. The legislation would effectively end the practice of showing a woman her fetus on a low resolution machine while conducting the abortion with the use of a high …

Senate Bill 137, House Bill 4163 Requires school districts to adopt an anti-bullying policy in conjunction with parents, local law enforcement and community stakeholders. The legislation treats all students equally and does not enumerate groups of students based on characteristics or behaviors. Sponsor: Sen Rick Jones, Rep. Phil Potvin Status: Signed by Governor, Public Act …

House Bill 4770 Legislation to reverse Civil Service Commission’s action providing healthcare benefits to partners of state employees. A two-thirds vote of each chamber is required to overturn the Civil Service Commission’s action. Sponsor: Rep. Dave Agema Status: Passed House and Senate,presented to Governor MFF Position: Support

Senate Bill 160 Prohibits partial birth abortion by mirroring federal legislation upheld by the US Supreme Court.