Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed bipartisan legislation to protect Michiganders from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure.
The legislation addresses asbestos abatement projects, requiring public contracts to disclose certain information to the public and requiring an annual report for the asbestos emissions program for demolition or renovation.
“These bipartisan bills address a range of issues important to communities across Michigan,” said Whitmer. “By tackling asbestos exposure in homes, empowering small businesses to claim the tax exemptions they need to grow, or relaxing auditing requirements to promote agricultural growth in the state, we’ll keep working together to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Senate Bill 225, sponsored by state Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), will help to protect the public by requiring certain asbestos abatement contractors undergo a background check to determine if they received any violations in the past.
The bill mandates projects hire vetted contractors by requiring background checks, publicly posting specific information, and holding public hearings under certain circumstances.
“These new laws will enhance transparency, public health and worker safety in asbestos abatement across the entire state,” said Chang said.. “This win for neighborhoods in Michigan was made possible thanks to a bipartisan partnership that began in 2018. It’s a great example of the kind of smart, commonsense legislation we can accomplish for Michiganders when we work together at the Capitol.”
Senate Bill 226, sponsored by state Senator Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), will improve accountability in asbestos abatement contracting by requiring an annual report on asbestos inspections, including the sufficiency of the number of inspectors for the asbestos emissions program for demolition or renovation activity.
“This legislation has been a long time coming, and I am beyond thankful to see it come to fruition,” said Geiss said. “This bill package requires a local government or authority to perform a background check before contracting with an asbestos abatement contractor and requires EGLE to prepare and submit an annual report related to the EGLE’s asbestos program, the number of inspections and enforcement actions taken, and more.”
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
