Gov.

Rick Snyder signs bills funding training to help people with autism
spectrum disorders
Snyder also signs two other bills, vetoes five bills
Monday, December 29, 2014
LANSING, Mich. Universities will get funding to help health care professionals better help
patients with autism spectrum disorders, and families with autistic members will have access to
additional resources under a bill signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder.
House Bill 5742, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret OBrien and approved with strong bipartisan
support, amends the Autism Coverage Reimbursement Act to allow for the one-time
expenditure of up to $4 million for help universities train health care professionals to assess,
diagnose and provide treatment to people with autism spectrum disorders.
The bill also provides $1.5 million for the Autism Alliance of Michigan through the Michigan
Department of Community Health to provide assistance and resources for families dealing with
the disorder.
Were working to build a stronger provider network to help people who cope with autism
spectrum disorders and their families and provide assistance for families, Snyder said. For
years, Michigan families struggled to find the help theyve needed. I appreciate Lt. Gov. Brian
Calleys efforts to work with our partners in the Legislature to improve access and insurance
coverage.
The bill amends the Autism Coverage Reimbursement Act, signed into law by Calley in 2012, to
now provide $3 million to Western Michigan University and continue providing $500,000 to
Central Michigan and Oakland universities.
It is now Public Act 401of 2014.
Snyder also signed HB 5412 and HB 5413, sponsored by state Rep. Nancy Jenkins, amend the
Banking Code of 1999 to allowed state-charted banks to conduct savings account promotions in
the form of a raffle where customers can enter by depositing money in an account or savings
program. They are now PAs 399 and 400 of 2014.
Snyder vetoed a four-bill package that revised the definition of firearm in various statutes and
created the term pneumatic gun to remove air rifles from the definition of a firearm.

The package includes Senate Bill 964, sponsored by Sen. Phil Pavlov; SB 965, sponsored by
state Sen. Joe Hune; SB 966, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jones; and SB 979, sponsored by
state Sen. Dave Hildenbrand.
In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the four Senate bills were intended to be included with three
bills from the state House as part of a comprehensive package. The House bills were not
approved by the Senate. Enacting only part of the package would create contrasting definitions
and a number of inconsistencies in Michigan law.
Snyder also vetoed HB 4573, sponsored by state Rep. Scott Dianda, which prorates fees for
liquor licenses in Michigan.In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that while adoption of prorated fees
for liquor licenses is sensible reform, this bill would result in a loss of revenue of $500,000$600,000 annually, which is not addressed in the bill. In addition, the governor was concerned
about the health, safety and welfare of the public due to a provision which limits penalties for
multiple and repeat violations for sale to a minor or visibly intoxicated person or any other
unauthorized purchases.
For more information on legislation, visit legislature.michigan.gov.

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Related Documents

Veto Letter for SBs 964,965,966,979

Veto letter for HB 4573