Lansing senator’s mental health bill targets insurance, ‘chemical restraint’, school absences

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) -Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced three bills that address mental health issues in Michigan, one of which is aimed at the needs of public school students.

Senate Bill 27, 28and 29 address the mental health issue in Michigan.

“In recent years, we have seen an increase in mental health issues, especially among our young people,” said Sen. Anthony. “It is time we take mental health seriously in our state. These bills do that.”

The package will make the following changes:

• SB 27 would amend the insurance act of 1956 to require insurers to provide mental health and substance abuse services, including mental health treatment health, on par with physical health services.
• SB 28 The mental health law will be amended to end the use of “Chemical Restraint” or the use of drugs on patients for control or the satisfaction of reasons, and instead of requiring regulators to use drugs for an established medical reason.
• SB 29 the revised school code will be amended to allow five public students to be suspended for behavioral or mental health reasons.

SB 27 and SB 28 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy. SB 29 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.

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