Snyder signs drug overdose prevention bill into law

Nov. 06--LANSING -- Even though the Michigan Legislature has been out of session for most of the last month, Gov. Rick Snyder signed more than two dozen bills into law in the last month.

Included in the new laws are a pair of bills that give immunity from prosecution to people who are found to possess drugs, but who are seeking medical attention for themselves or someone else who is experiencing a drug overdose. The bill expands already passed Good Samaritan laws for teenagers in an effort to make sure that people call for help for their friends or family members without fear of getting arrested by police.

Snyder also signed a package of bills that strengthens the role of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, which reviews the conduct of police officers.

Other bills that became law in the last month are:

PA 289-305 (SB 92-96, 866-869, HB 5494-5501): Create and provide the powers and funding for the Michigan Commission on law enforcement standards, require certain probation records to be provided to the commission, and modify the definition of peace officer in state laws. Sponsors: Sens. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton; Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage; Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge; and Reps. Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport; Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit; Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township; Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township; Triston Cole, R-Mancelona; Jim Tedder, R-Clarkston; Kathy Crawford, R-Novi.

PA 306 (HB 4822): Require a minimum benchmark for reading by the third grade before a student can be elevated to the next grade level. Sponsor: Rep. Amanda Price, R-Park Township.

PA 307-308 (HB 5649-5650): Exempt individuals who possess illegal controlled substances from criminal charges if they are seeking medical attention for themselves or someone else in the event of a drug overdose. Sponsors: Reps. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville; Sam Singh, D-East Lansing.

PA 309 (SB 956): Change the distribution of tobacco tax revenue money to the Capitol Historic Site Fund so that increases won't occur if there is a decrease in the annual consumer price index. Sponsor: Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland.

PA 310 (SB 1007): Set the terms on how money is appropriated by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to the Autism Coverage Fund to reimburse insurance carriers. Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

PA 311 (HB 5106): Authorize active state service for Michigan National Guard members. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville.

PA 312 (HB 5283): Provide for the distribution of unclaimed property account information to people who search for the owners of the property. Sponsor: Rep. Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills.

PA 313 (HB 5290): Provide for budget appropriations for the school aid fund, higher education and community colleges. Sponsor: Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville.

PA 314 (HB 5639): Provide for reporting requirements for state veterans' facilities. Sponsor: Rep. Holly Hughes, R-White River Township.

PA 315 (SB 981): Expands the eligibility of liquor license applicants to obtain a special conditional license. Sponsor: Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City.

PA 316 (SB 903): Change the requirement before a mineral rights' owner and producers can request approval of a plan to operate multiple wells in an oil or gas reservoir. Sponsor: Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba.

PA 317 (HB 5572): Permit alternative fuel commercial users to calculate their fuel tax due on compressed natural gas based on a revised criteria. Sponsor: Rep. Mike McCready, R-Birmingham.

Veto: SB 987-990: Bills to change the way Michigan comes up with matching money to pay for the Health Insurance Claims Assessment. The Legislature passed a 6-percent use tax on the state's Medicaid managed care organizations. Snyder said while he wants to find an appropriate solution for the state's match for federal dollars, he didn't think the use tax hike was the way to go.

Contact Kathleen Gray: [email protected] or on Twitter @michpoligal.

Find out more

To get information and track the progress of bills, go to www.legislature.mi.gov.

To contact the governor's office, go to www.michigan.gov/snyder.

To contact legislators, go to www.house.michigan.gov/MHRPublic andwww.senate.michigan.gov/senatorinfo.html

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