The 100th Michigan Legislature began its 2020 session on the second Wednesday in January, as specified in the state Constitution, with a few votes on bills of general interest.

Senate Bill 434, Authorize cosmetology “mobile salons”: Passed 102 to 5 in the House

To direct the state licensing bureau to produce regulations on “mobile salons” and mobile cosmetology equipment used by different salons. Under current law cosmetology services and salons are subject to an extensive array of state regulatory and licensure requirements. The bill would also authorize reciprocity for individuals with cosmetology licenses from other states where the requirements are “substantially equal,” and also revise details of other regulations on cosmetologists, salons and cosmetology schools.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

Senate Bill 309, Impose $50 tax on some tow trucks: Passed 105 to 2 in the House

To impose a $50 annual “motor carrier” fee on tow trucks and wreckers used in “nonconsensual towing operations” within the state (usually this means removing illegally parked cars).

Rep. Beau LaFave , R – Iron Mountain, Yes

Senate Bill 184, Revise athletic trainer licensure detail: Passed 105 to 2 in the House

To eliminate a specified amount of continuing education classes that athletic trainers must take to maintain a newly required license mandated by the state (the equivalent of 25 hours per year), and instead leave the details of required additional courses to the discretion of government licensing officials. Also, to revise a criminal background check requirement imposed on “behavior analysis technicians” in a manner that emphasizes barring an individual with specific past offenses from practicing this profession.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

House Bill 5008, Don’t facilitate jail-breaks: Passed 71 to 36 in the House

To establish that prison and jail officials are not required to post diagrams of exit routes in areas of prisons where prisoners have access, notwithstanding other laws (like fire codes) that may require this.

Rep. Beau LaFave, R – Iron Mountain, Yes

House Bill 4051, Require state create mental health hotline: Passed 32 to 3 in the Senate

To require the state to enter a contract with a third party entity to provide a mental health “hotline” where individuals could get information on social services related to mental illness. Fiscal agency projections indicate this would cost $1 million to $2.5 million annually.

Sen. Ed McBroom, R – Vulcan, Yes

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Source: MichiganVotes.org