LANSING — As temporary acting governor, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist signed House Bill 4044 into law today to allow the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to issue insurance producer licenses to individuals who have not been convicted of a felony in the last ten years, reversing the previous lifelong ban. In response, state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit), who sponsored HB 4492 as part of a similar bipartisan package to reform other “good moral character” requirements for occupational and professional licenses, issued the following statement:
“As the only Detroiter serving on the House Insurance Committee, I immediately recognized the significance of HB 4044, sponsored by state Rep. Hoitenga, of which I co-sponsored, will have in removing barriers to employment for Michiganders who have already taken responsibility for their past actions, which is such a critical tool in the fight for reform and economic justice in our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to build upon the work of this new law by moving our Good Moral Character package through the legislative process.”
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