Downriver Today

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) in early April signed six new bills into law that will improve insurance procedures, support small businesses, and modernize Michigan's State Bar admissions process, according to a press release from the governor's office. The new legislation will also help shoe repair businesses create inventory space and make amendments to laws regarding the operation of snowmobiles and off-road recreational vehicles.

“Today, I will be signing six bipartisan bills, adding on to the over 800 bipartisan bills I have signed since taking office,” Whitmer said, according to the press release. “Today’s bills will make insurance benefit preauthorization more accessible, support winter recreation and shoe repair businesses, and amend the State Bar admittance process. I am proud to sign these bills and will continue to work with anyone to get things done. Together, we can continue delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to Michiganders, growing our economy, and creating good-paying jobs.”

Sponsored by state Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Crawford), Senate Bill 247 will revise Michigan's Insurance Code to boost transparency among insurers and will decrease wait times for medication and medical services that require prior authorization. 

“Today’s action by Gov. Whitmer to sign this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation will directly help patients across Michigan,” VanderWall said, according to the press release. “This new law reforms the prior authorization process, which has created barriers and inefficiencies with access and quality of care in the health care system. It will promote transparency of practices used by insurers, allowing enrollees and health care providers to be fully informed while making coverage and care decisions.”

“While the intent behind the prior authorization process is to promote safe, timely, and cost-effective care, the process itself has been widely viewed as inefficient and burdensome,” VanderWall added. “This can directly affect the treatment and care a patient receives and could pose significant risks to a patient’s health. This law will help improve the process and ultimately benefit patients.”

House Bill 4994 was sponsored by state Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Eaton) and will allow shoe repair businesses to donate unclaimed shoes if they have not been picked up by customers for at least six months.

“This is a victory for Michigan's small businesses and their communities," Witwer said, according to the press release. "This bill supports entrepreneurs and charities at the same time. Cobblers get to clear out space and charities receive high-quality footwear. When it comes to those in need, we must do better, and this bill helps make that vision a reality."

House Bill 5541 was sponsored by state Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Branch) and will amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow individuals seeking admission to the State Bar of Michigan to use their Uniform Bar Examination scores.

“With the governor’s signature, Michigan keeps pace with 40 other jurisdictions that have already implemented the Uniform Bar Exam. Score portability makes our state more attractive to law school graduates nationwide and gives our state's law firms and businesses more tools for attracting the best legal talent,” Chief Justice Bridget McCormack said, according to the press release.

Whitmer also signed new legislation that will allow individuals to operate snowmobiles on trails without a registration or trail permit for one weekend before the official start of snowmobile season, and legislation that will require two-wheel, off-road recreational vehicles to have a license attached and visible on the center of the rear fender or on a front suspension, the press release noted.