Seantor Richardville’s email is SenRichardville@senate.michigan.gov.

You should also contact Senator Arlen Meekof, the Majority Floor Leader. His email address is SenAMeekhof@senate.michigan.gov. Senator Meekhof also voted for the legislation in 2012.

This legislation would:

• Allow an employer to craft an employee accommodation policy in advance of any elective procedure that an employee may find objectionable based on their religious teachings. The bill allows an employer to ask a prospective employee about their objections if the procedure is a normal course of duties for that position.

• Not allow for the refusal of care to a group of individuals. This legislation only applies to health services, procedures or medications. The bill allows an employer to ask a prospective employee about their objections if the procedure is a normal course of duties for that position.

• Require that, in emergency situations, care must be provided, even if the provider objects as a matter of conscience. Senate Bill 136 places into state law language that guarantees no patient can be denied emergency care due to a facility’s accommodation policy. Further, this legislation would still require that even if a doctor or nurse does not perform a service because of a conscientious objection, they are required to inform the patient of their options.

Eric Metaxas discusses the divorce of marriage, sex and childbearing in recent Breakpoint commentary. Author of two bestseller biographies on William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoffer, Metaxas highlights the profound divide between the “have and have-nots” when it comes to marriage. The “haves” (college-educated, financially secure) strongly embrace marriage and delay child-bearing. The “have-nots” (no college degree and low income) are foregoing marriage but initiating child-bearing at an alarming rate.

Listen to Eric’s Breakpoint commentary here:

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/21856

Where to Cut

As the President looks for places to cut the federal budget, we will provide some good places to start over the next few weeks.

Over 72 grants of discretionary spending are available for family planning, the vast majority going to foreign nations. The grants range in size from $150,000 to over $80 million dollars. Most are in the $5-10 million dollar range. These grants are above and beyond the traditional family planning funds sent to the states. For example, Michigan’s $12 million dollars in family planning would not be impacted. Follow the link and type “family planning” in the basic search box to view some of the grants.

http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do

Outlawing Choice

Outlawing ChoiceLegislation to prohibit Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) begin popping up nationwide. Groups such as Exodus International and the International Healing Foundation help men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction overcome those desires.

California passed the first ban which prohibits SOCE for minors, even with parental consent. At least four other states have introduced similar legislation. Last session (2012), Rep. Jackie Speirer of California introduced House Concurrent Resolution 141 in congress, declaring SOCE therapy as “dangerous and harmful.”

To read about legislative efforts to prohibit SOCE, click here:

http://www.comingoutloved.com/legislativepetition

The 97th Legislature is gearing up and Michigan Family Forum is in the midst of the activity. While new lawmakers are still getting their bearings, committees are meeting, legislation is being voted on and our staff is actively participating in the process. “It’s exciting,” said Dan Jarvis, research and policy director at MFF, “we’re meeting new representatives and reconnecting with old friends now that the election and the holidays are behind us.” Michigan Family Forum is putting the final touches on their legislative “wish list” which will be posted on their website soon.

Grand Rapids Group to Push for Gay Marriage

A Grand Rapids-based group, Marriage Michigan PAC, plans to gather over 300,000 signatures to amend the state’s Constitution to permit gay marriage. In 2004, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2 defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. While some polls show increasing support for gay marriage, the effort would face a steep uphill climb. The plan is not just a simple repeal of the previous Amendment, rather it is an about face to replace the ban with an Amendment to legalize same-sex marriage. Even supporters of gay marriage feel 2014 is too early for a ballot initiative, according to a recent article that appeared on mlive, a statewide news feed. Nonetheless, Equality Michigan is launching a statewide “education campaign” in order to prepare Michigan voters to support a measure in the future. To view a copy of the mlive article on the issue, click here:

Michigan House Republicans Release Policy Priorities

Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives recently released their 2013-14 Action Plan outlining their priorities for this session. While much of the plan is focused on traditional issues such as jobs, education and transportation, the Action Plan also addresses adoption and prenatal care, two issues that Michigan Family Forum have long championed. Last year, the House held hearings on an MFF recommendation that families be allowed to count their unborn child as a dependent for tax purposes if the mother is receiving prenatal care. On the adoption front, Michigan Family forum has called for putative father registries, adoption incentives and streamlining the adoption process. All of these are included in the Action Plan. To view a copy of the Action Plan, click here:

Insurance “Rider” Required for Abortion Coverage

Senate Bills 137-38 will require that a “rider” be purchased with insurance policies if the client wants elective abortion to be a covered procedure. Under current law, abortion is generally covered by private insurance agencies. Many policy holders believe their insurance premiums are subsidizing abortions much the same way that tax dollars once covered Medicaid abortions. By requiring riders for abortion coverage, only abortion supporters would underwrite the costs of performing elective abortions. The bills are sponsored by Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Grand Rapids). To view a copy of SB 137, click here: