EMERGENCY ORDERS; HS COMMENCEMENTS H.B. 4728:
SUMMARY OF DISCHARGED BILL
House Bill 4728 (as discharged)
Sponsor: Representative Ann Bollin
Senate Committee: Education and Career Readiness (discharged)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or a local health officer from issuing an emergency order to control an epidemic that prohibited or otherwise limited a high school commencement ceremony that was sponsored by the school to honor the graduating class of 2020 or 2021 and that was held during the 2020-2021 school year.
Under Section 2253 of the Code, if the Director of the DHHS determines that control of an epidemic is necessary to protect the public health, he or she by emergency order may prohibit the gathering of people for any purpose and may establish procedures to be followed during the epidemic to ensure continuation of essential public health services and enforcement of health laws. Emergency procedures are not limited to the Code. Section 2453 extends this authority to a local health official under the same circumstances.
Under the bill, an emergency order issued by the Director could not prohibit or otherwise limit a high school graduation commencement ceremony sponsored by a public or nonpublic school to honor the graduating class of 2020 or 2021 and that was held during the 2020-2021 school year.
MCL 333.2253 & 333.2453 Legislative Analyst: Dana Adams
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State and local units of government.
Date Completed: 5-18-21 Fiscal Analyst: Ellyn Ackerman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.