Lawmakers talk education, environment, medical malpractice

June 13, 2012

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — 7&4 News is following three pieces of legislation you heard about in May on 7&4 News.

The first item is Senate Bill 0315. It would require students to be at least five-years-old before entering kindergarten. On May 3, it passed through the Senate 38-0. Darwin Booher introduced that bill. His office says they will allow it to die in the House because an identical House Bill, House Bill 4513, has equal support. That legislation will head to the governor in the next couple weeks.

The second bill we’re following is Senate Bill 1052. If made into law, it would give more freedom to land owners, looking to groom their shoreline property. The bill passed through the Senate in May. This week, the State House Natural Resources Committee reported favorably on the bill. No changes were made. Now it goes to the House floor for a vote.

The third issue 7&4 news is tracking is a series of bills that would make it harder to sue doctors. Senate Bills 1115-1118 are refereed to as “The Patient’s First Reform Package.” Supporters argue the legislation will better protect doctors from malpractice claims. Critics claim it offers immunity and closes the door to the courtroom. The legislation sat in Senate committee for weeks and is struggling to gain momentum.

Lawmakers have summer break coming up.

Afterward, action is expected on these items.