In this e-newsletter:
- Upcoming Coffee Hour
- Occupational Therapy Compact Update
- Death Certificate Legislation
- Funding for County Veterans Service Offices
- NCSL Maternal Health Fellowship
Upcoming Legislative Coffee Hour
Please join me for an informal, in-person discussion of legislation, community issues, and constituent needs at my next coffee hour. No pre-registration is needed, and you can email questions in advance to JulieRogers@house.mi.gov.
When: Friday, May 16, 2025; 9 to 10 a.m.
Where: 5 Lakes Coffee, 2026 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Update
Following testimony on the bipartisan Occupational Therapy Compact bill package, I’m pleased to share that both House Bills 4103 and 4104 passed unanimously out of the House Health Policy Committee. My bill, HB 4103, was referred to the House Rules Committee and passed this Thursday with bipartisan support! It’s now headed to the floor.
These bills would allow Michigan to join the interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants from member states to practice across state lines more easily. This compact will help address provider shortages, improve access in border regions, and support licensure portability for military families.
HB 4103, which I sponsored, codifies Michigan’s participation in the compact and provides for our state’s membership in the Occupational Therapy Compact Commission. HB 4104, sponsored by state Rep. Douglas Wozniak, authorizes licensed occupational therapists in Michigan to access the benefits of the compact.
This package is a reintroduction of House Bills 4169 and 4170 from 2023, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support but did not advance in the Senate during lame duck. I’m optimistic that, with continued bipartisan momentum, we’ll get this important legislation over the finish line this term.
Death Certificate Legislation
My bipartisan death certificate reform bills, House Bills 4077 and 4078, introduced alongside state Rep. Mike Mueller, passed the House on April 22 with overwhelming bipartisan support. These bills have now been referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee. The legislation will require the timely certification of death certificates by physicians through the Electronic Death Registration System (ERDS) and clarify when medical certification must be completed by a county medical examiner. These are reintroductions of House Bills 5043 and 5044 from 2023, which passed the House last term with strong bipartisan backing.
Currently, both a physician and a funeral director are required to complete parts of a death certificate, with physicians expected to certify within 48 hours. However, because many certificates are completed by hand and faxed, families often experience delays in receiving official death certificates — documents necessary for settling legal affairs, securing insurance, and arranging burial or cremation.
My bill, HB 4077, requires physicians to directly enter the cause of death into the ERDS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ secure, web-based system. Rep. Mueller’s bill, HB 4078, clarifies when a county medical examiner is responsible for certifying a death — specifically in cases involving violence, unexpected death, or when no healthcare provider has treated the individual in the past year or, in hospice situations, the previous 48 hours.
Funding for County Veterans Service Offices
In response to a recent funding shortfall in the County Veteran Service Fund (CVSF) grant program, I have introduced an appropriation bill that would allocate $3.66 million in general fund dollars to address these gaps and ensure counties are made whole. This action comes after the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) issued letters in May 2024 informing counties of their anticipated grant allocations for fiscal year 2024-25. Unfortunately, the MVAA did not clarify that these amounts were based on projections rather than finalized revenue estimates, which led to confusion by counties. When the final funding numbers were confirmed, it was revealed that more money had been requested by counties than was available, resulting in a significant shortfall.
In February 2025, the MVAA informed counties that the previously committed CVSF grant allocations would be reduced due to insufficient fund balances. As a result, counties faced funding cuts ranging from $1,421 to $516,788, leaving them in a difficult position. During the March 2025 Military and Veterans Affairs Appropriation Subcommittee, it became clear that the deadline to amend grants was that same day, further complicating the situation. This appropriation bill seeks to ensure that counties which experienced reductions are held harmless, preserving essential services for Michigan’s veterans. The supplemental appropriation will authorize the expenditure of these funds through Dec. 31, 2025, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that Michigan’s veterans and the County Veterans Service Offices that support them have access to the resources they need to thrive.
NCSL Maternal Health Fellowship
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you. Along with state Sen. Kevin Hertel, I’ve been selected as one of 19 lawmakers nationwide to be a part of the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) Maternal Health Fellowship for 2025. We recently gathered in Chicago for our first conference, where we connected with fellow lawmakers and experts to share ideas and strategies to improve maternal health policies across the country.
During the conference, I had the privilege of presenting on the Maternal Health Equity package that the Michigan Legislature passed last term — work that I’m incredibly proud of and will continue to advocate for. As we approach Mother’s Day, I want to take this opportunity to highlight an invaluable resource for pregnant and postpartum individuals: the national hotline, (833) TLC-MAMA, which connects callers to counselors who can offer support, guidance, and resources.
This hotline is a crucial lifeline for anyone in need of maternal health assistance, and I encourage you to share it with anyone who may benefit from this service.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to improve maternal health for all.
Sincerely,
Julie Rogers
State Representative
House District 41