Legislation Reports ... from Up Close
MI Public Policy Update "Women's Health & Prevention Package"
Also known as the "Reproductive
Rights" Package
The House Judiciary Committee discussed a package of bills this week that would affect contraceptive rights, pharmacists right to conscience, sex education in the class room and oh so much more. Check out Natalie's report and more helpful information by clicking here.
Public Policy Update: Homosexual Discrimination Legislation
Natalie attended the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, August
26th on House Bill
4129 (Primary Sponsor Rep Rebekah Warren, D). The sponsors want to amend
civil rights in Michigan to include "sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression" as discriminatory language..
Read her summary and
connect to more information. Thanks, Natalie!
Analysis on the hearing
Actual Bill HB 4192
House Bills - Women's Health & Prevention Package
also known as Reproductive Rights
Package
Natalie Van Dorin 9/9/09
Here’s a quick summary of the Committee Meeting (see more resources below
report!)
H.B. 5155 and H.B. 5165 both aim at increasing public awareness about
emergency contraceptives. It was discussed at the committee meeting by a health
professional that they do not cause abortions. Instead, they are a strong dosage
of hormones that prevent unwanted pregnancies. Since they reduce unwanted
pregnancies they will also reduce the “need” for abortions.
H.B.5164: It was debated whether or not Pharmacists have a right to
refuse to fill prescriptions based on religious beliefs. Those who testified
said that having a pharmaceutical license was a privilege and will that
privilege comes responsibilities for the job. They argued that going into the
profession the pharmacists should know that they will have to fill prescriptions
of this nature.
H.B. 5163: Sex Ed Revisions – Rep. Schuitmaker asked those who were
presenting the bill whether or not a minimum age restriction would be placed on
sex education in the classrooms. Rep. Warren said that this bill wouldn’t change
the current grade levels at which sex education occurs and it will only be done
in age appropriate manner – such as in 2nd grade they currently teach students
the difference between a “good” touch and a “bad” one.
H.B. 5159: Regarding the coverage of infertility treatment by insurances.
Rep. Corriveau said that he’s concerned that there would be no real savings for
the state by passing this bill; instead costs would increase. Another
representative said that the question is whether or not it is appropriate to
spread the risk and cost across the entire pool of people in the state or have
it be the responsibility of the individual. He said that costs don’t go away
they are just allocated and we need to decide where the costs need to be
allocated.
H.B. 5161: Coverage for Pap Smears by insurance companies – Nurse who
testified said that this procedure is very inexpensive but can cause serious
conditions such as cervical cancer to be detected early as a result a lot of
money is saved by insurance companies. Prevention medicine is always cheaper
than treatment. Rep. Schuitmaker said she is concerned that it will turn
insurance companies off to Michigan since businesses will have to pay more money
for women on staff.
Heard no testimony on H.B. 5158 (crisis pregnancy organizations: require
informed consent prior to rendering services) & H.B. 5156 & 5157
regarding a mandate for health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved
contraceptives.
Our
Letter Submitted to Committee Members
Michigan Family Forum's Report
MFF's Testimony to Committee
Committee Members
Contact us with Questions!
House Bill 4192 - Civil Rights toward Alternative Lifestyles
Natalie Van Dorin 8/26/09
Bill Description: House Bill 4192 would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. It would protect homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender peoples from discrimination in hiring and/or firing practices. The bill also protects them from discrimination when applying for housing facilities. It would also guarantee them unlimited access to public facilities (such a restrooms, YMCA locker rooms and store dressing rooms) regardless of their gender.
House Judiciary Committee Report (8/26/09): HB 4192 was discussed at the House Judiciary Committee today. I attended on behalf of Citizens for Traditional Values, submitting a letter to the committee members noting our opposition to the bill. I did not give testimony but put it on the record that CTV opposes.
For a copy of our letter submitted click here.
For a brief outline of the discussion, keep reading for my brief analysis:
-
Rep. Warren who wrote the bill introduced it to the
committee
o
Shared that 16 cities in Michigan already have laws
that are similar in nature to this
o
37 states and DC already have passed this
legislation
o
She said that enumeration is necessary to decrease
discrimination has been proved throughout history, she said sadly laws have to
be specific instead of general (i.e. stating that discrimination is wrong, must
list all groups/specifics individually)
-
Rep. McMillan offered testimony opposing the bill:
o
Only person to speak in opposition of the bill
o
Believes it’s unsafe because a man dressed as a
woman would be able to go into a woman’s locker room
o
Rep. Corriveau made remarks saying Rep. McMillan
uses hate language
o
Rep. Brown asked if Rep. McMillan believes in doing
unto others as he would have them do unto him?
- Around 8-10 others spoke in support of the bill – including professionals on economics, psychological health, and those who have been/seen persecution of homosexuals.
- One person said that they are not asking for special rights. Gave this example: If a wiccan wanted to work in a Christian bookstore and they weren’t hired because they were a practicing wiccan then that falls under discrimination in the already laid out Civil Rights act of 1976.
- The speaker from the ACLU said that religious organizations can legally practice a form of discrimination under current law if it is to hire someone who will be representing your faith (private teacher at a Catholic school, worker in a church office, church day care, etc.) and that won’t change with this addition to the civil rights act. That’s a protected right of religious organizations, just not a public business/store like a Christian bookstore that would be in a mall setting (for example).
- Pastors are also allowed (and would still be allowed) to share their believes for/against homosexuality, that falls under freedom of speech at the federal level.
The legislation was not passed out of committee today, we'll keep you posted on further action.
Feel free
to email us with any thoughts!
Contact Members of the Judiciary Committee
Read the full bill and track its progress