Issues
Why does CTV track legislation?
CTV strives to be a voice for your values in the public arena, keeping you informed and involved. We advocate for the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, family values, religious freedom, limited government, and more. We’re always monitoring legislation and communicating with legislators and government leaders, seeking to provide a unified voice for Judeo-Christian values.
Elections Have Consequences
Last year, we saw plenty of concerning bills and spoke out on your behalf. Click the button below for a summary:
Concerned about a particular bill?
Let us know by calling or emailing us at the link below.
Religious Freedom
We Support
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H.B. 4345: This bill would clarify that protections for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) do not apply for religious organizations when they are acting according to their sincerely held religious beliefs. CTV supports this bill. It’s currently in committee.
We Oppose
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Hate Speech Bills H.R. 4474 and HB 4475. These bills are in violation of the right to free speech as given in the First Amendment. They would allow the government to charge Michigan citizens for speech crimes at their whim, opening the door to rampant abuse in the legal system. The proposed language violates the First Amendment and is a clear attack on religious liberty. To view our testimony, CLICK HERE. Even after the recent changes made, they are still just as dangerous and just as unconstitutional. For an in-depth explanation by David Kallman (Senior Legal Counsel for the Great Lakes Justice Center), CLICK HERE. These bills passed the House and are now in the Senate.
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S.B. 4: This bill adds “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” as protected classes under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA). CTV asked for amendments to protect religious liberty for churches and people of faith. Click HERE to view our testimony. Unfortunately, this bill was signed into law on March 16, 2023.
Family & Health
We Support
We Oppose
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Deregulating surrogacy — HB 5207-5215 is a bill package that would legalize the buying and selling of children through contract surrogacy, opening up the doors to abuse and human trafficking. It would also bypass adoption, which is currently a required step to ensure safety for the child. No Michigan residency, marriage, or formal relationship would be required of the person/s obtaining the child. CTV stands against the commodification of life. We are monitoring this legislation.
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Legalizing physician assisted suicide — SB 681 would allow individuals to request assisted suicide by method of prescription drugs. This violates the sanctity of life and opens the door to systematic abuse. Life should always be protected until natural death. We are monitoring this legislation.
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Banning “conversion therapy” as defined in S.B. 348, S.B. 349, H.B. 4616, and H.B. 4617. These bills would make it illegal for a counselor or therapist to recommend changing sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression for a minor. If passed, Christian counselors could not explain God’s intended design for sexuality to a minor. It passed the House as of 6/14/23.
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The Respect for Marriage Act, H.R. 8404. This redefines marriage on the federal level to include homosexual unions and strip away protections for religious liberty and conscientious objectors. It was signed into law on December 13th of 2022.
Education
We Support
We Oppose
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The State Board of Education’s intent to regulate homeschooling (read their letter here). Michigan law is already clear on this issue. “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children.” (MCL 380.10). We stand by this right and will fight against any infringement of it.
Abortion
We Support
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The comprehensive pro-life bill package of H.J.R. C, H.B. 4683, H.B. 4684, H.B. 4685, and H.B. 4686. This would reverse Proposal 3, restore the 1931 abortion ban, restore a ban on the sale of prescription abortion pills, restore a ban on advertising for abortion services, and establish criminal sentencing guidelines for those who violate the above. Even though it’s unlikely to pass, it serves as a model template for the ultimate goal of protecting life in Michigan.
We Oppose
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Restrictions on pregnancy resource centers — H.B. 6530. This bill accuses these organizations of deception for providing services and recommendations that are alternatives to abortion. This bill hurts thousands of women who benefit from pregnancy resource centers.
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Allowing distribution of contraceptives on school grounds — S.B. 1219. This bill allows school nurses and medical personnel to distribute family planning drugs on public school property. This bill has been in committee since November of 2022.
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The repeal of the 1931 abortion law, a package of bills including H.B. 4006, H.B 4031, H.B. 4032, S.B. 2, S.B. 37, S.B. 38, S.B. 39, and S.B. 93. Click HERE to read our Senate testimony and HERE for our House testimony. Unfortunately, this repeal of the 1931 law was successful and signed into law as of 4/5/23.
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Requiring employers to offer coverage for abortions if benefits are offered for pregnancy or childbirth — S.B. 147. No business or religious organization should be forced to pay for abortions against their protected religious conscience. Click HERE to read an informative testimony from the Michigan Catholic Conference. Unfortunately, this bill was signed into law as of 5/17/23.
Election Integrity
We Support
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Election Integrity Reforms in Michigan: CTV supports any bills to better secure voter identification, absentee ballot issuance, and other practices to ensure honest elections across our state.
We Oppose
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The “Voting Rights Act,” H.R. 1. This bill would remove protections for fair and honest elections by federalizing election law and banning voter ID verification, among other things. The bill passed the U.S. House, but has not seen further action since March of 2021.
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The “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” H.R. 4. This bill is an attempt at a federal election takeover regarding state voting laws. The bill passed the U.S. House, but has not seen further action since September of 2021.
