March Legislative and Community Updates

Photo: Rep. Rogers and Mike Muller (D-Linden) testify before the House Health Policy Committee in support of bipartisan legislation to modernize the state’s death certificate process and reduce delays for grieving families.

I’m pleased to share that my bipartisan death certificate package, House Bills 4077 (Rogers) and 4078 (Mueller), passed unanimously in the Michigan Senate this week and now head to the governor’s desk for signing. These reforms modernize Michigan’s death certificate process and reduce the delays that too many grieving families face at the worst possible time.

When someone passes away, loved ones deserve the ability to honor that life with dignity and begin the difficult work of saying goodbye without unnecessary red tape.

Funerals, burial or cremation arrangements, insurance claims and settling legal estates all depend on timely death certificates, yet delays can stretch on for days. This legislation sets a clear requirement that death certificates be completed within 48 hours and submitted through the secure, web-based system already in place at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, while also streamlining outdated requirements so physicians, funeral directors and medical examiners can move the process forward more efficiently.

Photo: Reps. Rogers, and Matt Longjohn (D-Portage), center left, were joined by their moms on the House floor ahead of the 2026 State of the State address.

On Feb. 25, the governor delivered her State of the State address, outlining priorities for the year ahead including lowering costs and continued investments in health care, education and economic stability. As the Legislature moves into budget season, her address set the tone for the work ahead and the choices we will have to make to protect the services families rely on.

Each year, legislators are allowed to bring one special guest, and this year I invited my mother, Marie. She was able to sit on the House floor with me and experience the address up close, meet colleagues and friends she’s heard about over the years, and see some of the behind-the-scenes moments that make Lansing feel a little more human. I also appreciated the governor’s continued focus on protecting access to health care, including the need to shore up Medicaid as federal changes threaten cuts, and her attention to housing, where Michigan needs smart, streamlined strategies to increase housing stock and help communities meet demand.

Photo: Reps. Rogers and Luke Meerman hold House Bills 5678 and 5679, bipartisan legislation to expand fall-prevention training for nursing home staff and better protect Michigan seniors.

Last week, I reintroduced bipartisan legislation, House Bills 5678 and 5679, with Rep. Luke Meerman to require fall prevention training for unlicensed nursing home staff and ensure employees are compensated for the time spent completing the training. As a practicing physical therapist, I have treated patients after devastating falls, and it is especially painful knowing many of these injuries are preventable.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among adults age 65 and older. The CDC reports that older adults experience about 36 million falls each year nationwide, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. Here in Michigan, 189,169 older adults experience falls each year, resulting in more than $1.5 billion in medical costs. By investing in practical prevention training for the full nursing home workforce, we can reduce avoidable injuries, improve quality of care and help protect seniors and families from the life-changing consequences of a serious fall. The bills have been referred to the House Families and Veterans Committee.

Tax season is underway, and our office is here to help connect residents with reliable information and resources. We currently have Michigan Taxpayer’s Guides for the 2025 tax year available through our district service office.

If you would like to pick one up for yourself or grab a handful for your workplace, neighborhood group or organization, please reach out to schedule an appointment. You can email us at [email protected].

I’m hosting my next legislative coffee hour on Friday, March 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Totally Brewed Cafe, located at 151 S. Rose St. #105 in Kalamazoo. These coffee hours are a great opportunity to connect informally, ask questions and share what’s on your mind. I look forward to seeing you there! While registration is not required, if you have a specific question in mind, you can email it to us in advance at [email protected].