Parents who do not require their children to attend school could see a drop in their cash assistance benefits if interventions from the state and school authorities fail, under legislation signed last Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder.
"Much like the Pathways to Potential program, this legislation brings together parents, schools and the state to determine obstacles that keep students from being in school and how to overcome them," Snyder said. "To break the cycle of poverty, kids need an education to position them for future success. We have to do everything we can to see that they are regularly attending school."
House Bill 4041, sponsored by state Rep. Al Pscholka and approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, codifies existing Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) practice, which is to include school attendance as an eligibility factor in cash assistance benefits. Under the measure, DHHS will have to meet with the family to identify barriers that result in truancy before any discontinuation of benefits, and will reinstate benefits if the student meets 21 days of regular attendance. It is now PA 56 of 2015.
The new law builds on the Pathways to Potential program, which puts caseworkers in schools across the state to identify obstacles to success in school and reduce truancy. More information about the program can be found at www.mi.gov/pathwaystopotential.
The governor also signed several budget implementation bills:
HB 4404, sponsored by state Rep. Larry Inman, allows certain funding from the Unemployment Insurance Agency to be used for workforce development and skilled trades training. It is now PA 57.
HB 4409, sponsored by state Rep. Earl Poleski, repeals a $10 monthly stipend given to individuals who leave welfare programs because their income has increased. It is now PA 58.
HB 4444, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Afendoulis, adjusts fees for psychiatric hospitals and establishes a sunset. It is now PA 59.
HB 4449, sponsored by state Rep. Roger Victory, adjusts fees on air emissions operating permits to meet the federal standard and extends the sunset to 2019. It is now PA 60.
HB 4470, sponsored by state Rep. Jon Hoadley, adjusts fees on food establishments to provide adequate food safety oversight inspections. It is now PA 61.
Sixteen bills signed authorize sunset extensions from 2015 to 2019 for fees already in statute:
- Licensing fees for contractors initial fee, renewals and examinations (HB 4363, sponsored by state Rep. Harvey Santana).
- Licensing fees for electricians and fire alarm contractors initial fees, renewals and examinations (HB 4382, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Afendoulis).
- Licensing fees for building officials, inspectors and plan reviewers (HB 4383, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Afendoulis).
- Annual reporting fees for nonprofit organizations (HB 4384, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Afendoulis).
- Annual reporting fees for corporations (HB 4397, sponsored by state Rep. George Darany).
- Licensing fees for brokers, investment advisers and agents initial fee and renewals (HB 4398, sponsored by state Rep. Robert Kosowski).
- Annual statement fees for limited liability companies (HB 4399, sponsored by state Rep. Leslie Love).
- Licensing fees for livestock dealers, markets and truckers (HB 4400, sponsored by state Rep. Nancy Jenkins).
- Vehicle titling fees for tire disposal surcharge (HB 4439, sponsored by state Rep. Roger Victory).
- Fees for fingerprinting and criminal background checks (HB 4443, sponsored by state Rep. Aaron Miller).
- Administrative fees for Secretary of State records access for vehicles (HBs 4445 & 4446, sponsored by state Rep. Al Pscholka).
- Licensing fees for plumbers initial fees, renewals, reinstatements and examinations (HB 4364, sponsored by state Rep. Harvey Santana).
- Licensing fees for engineers, land surveyors, barbers, collection agencies, cosmetology, consulting agents, personnel agencies, foresters, hearing aid-related licenses, real estate agents, and mortuary science-related licenses (HB 4381, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Afendoulis).
- Permitting fees for construction projects on waterways (HB 4448, sponsored by state Rep. Roger Victory).
- Administrative fees for Secretary of State records access for boats, ATVs and snowmobiles (HBs 4568 & 4569, sponsored by state Rep. Al Pscholka).
The bills are now PAs 62-78.
For additional information on this and other legislation, visit www.legislature.michigan.gov.
Published: Mon, Jun 15, 2015
