Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a series of bills into law that will, among other things, expand access to drug treatment options and family support programs through the circuit courts, and better protect workers from asbestos contamination.

House Bill 4522, sponsored by state Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), gives Michigan’s circuit courts the power to institute or adopt family treatment courts and framework for family treatment programs.  

“Problem-solving courts are a fantastic model for people in the justice system who don’t need to be sequestered from society. However, the current legal framework for family treatment courts — housed under the drug court statute — doesn’t contain certain key aspects that make the model work,” said Breen, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. “By adding a new chapter of law, we are enacting truly positive criminal justice reform that can better serve the people of our state by protecting children and keeping families together.” 

Bills to expand specialty courts in Michigan head to Senate for a vote

Meanwhile, House Bill 4524, sponsored by state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), allows judges to review the circumstances and permit convicted participants of drug treatment programs to continue treatment. Under current law, if a participant in drug court programming is convicted of a felony for an offense that happened after their admittance into the program, their participation must be terminated.  

“The whole idea behind treatment courts — that some people are better served by rehabilitation instead of incarceration — is contradicted by mandatory termination of a person’s participation after a subsequent felony,” he said. “Allowing judges and prosecutors to take a holistic view of the individual’s circumstances will undoubtedly lead to better outcomes.” 

Whitmer said when families are in crisis, connecting them to the resources they need to get better has to be a priority.

“With these commonsense, bipartisan bills, we’re establishing a family treatment court and creating a path to programs that tackle substance use disorder, protect children, and expand access to mental health resources. Let’s keep working together to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Whitmer.

The governor also signed House Bill 4185, sponsored by state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) and House Bill 4190, sponsored by state Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), which collectively provide additional protections for Michigan workers who come into contact with asbestos on the job.  

Also signed were HB 4979, sponsored by state Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), which would allow counties flexibility on whether to hire an assessor, and HB 4857, sponsored by state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), which would remove milkweed, considered an important food source for butterflies, from the list of noxious or exotic weeds thereby protecting its growth. 

And finally Whitmer signed SB 57, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and SB 58, sponsored by state Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe), would prohibit the sale of items used to recreationally inhale nitrous oxide if the seller knows they will be used for those purposes.