Holland Reporter

Rep. Smit Vote Explanations | Week of April 29

May 7, 2024

BILL PACKAGE HBs 4169 & 4170: Would create the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to allow for the privilege to practice in member states under the compact and state requirements.

Sponsors: Reps. Rogers (D) & Wozniak (R)

Passages: 103-6 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: This will help patients have access to more services and providers to resolve their therapy needs.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5384-5386: Landlord-tenant package / sellers who hold over after the sale of premises

Sponsors: Reps. Roth (R), Mentzer (D), & Breen (D)

Passages: 104-5 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Proponents may argue that it is becoming more common for sellers of real property to make arrangements for temporary occupancy of the premises after the sale, and these situations must be addressed within our landlord-tenant laws.

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SB 249: Requires the department to create a state paramedic certification exam and allows paramedics to take either the state or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification evaluation.

Sponsor: Sen. Hertel (D)

Passage: 101-4 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: Ensuring that non-accredited education programs provide notification to their students is a commonsense reform and provides for much-needed transparency.

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SB 27: Would require mental health benefits to be comparable to physical health benefits offered by insurance providers. This legislation mirrors the intent of existing federal statutes by requiring parity for mental and physical health benefits under insurance plans offered in the state.

Sponsor: Rep. Anthony (D)

Passage: 93-12 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: Michigan already complies with federal mental health parity requirements. Senate Bill 27 would enshrine them in state statute without adding onerous unnecessary requirements.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 5182 & 5183: Would create a new 5-year felony offense for the possession of electronic technology with the intent to unlock or turn on a motor vehicle with the intent to steal the vehicle.

Sponsors: Reps. Mentzer (D) & Farhat (D)

Passages: 88-17 with Immediate Effect

Passages: 89-16 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted NO: The bill is unnecessary because the state’s penal laws already penalize this conduct.

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BILL PACKAGE HBs 4504 & 4505: Would create the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to allow for the privilege to practice in member states under the compact and state requirements.

Sponsors: Reps. Fitzgerald (D) & Zorn (R)

Passage: 91-13 with Immediate Effect

Why I voted YES: By joining this compact, Michigan license holders will be able to more easily practice in other states.