Bill Text: MI SB0340 | 2023-2024 | 102nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Human services: services or financial assistance; elderly emergency aid program; create. Amends 1981 PA 180 (MCL 400.581 - 400.594) by adding secs. 10a & 10b.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-05-17 - Referred To Committee On Housing And Human Services [SB0340 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2023-SB0340-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL NO. 340
A bill to amend 1981 PA 180, entitled
"Older Michiganians act,"
(MCL 400.581 to 400.594) by adding sections 10a and 10b.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 10a. (1) The department of health and human services shall establish the elderly emergency aid program.
(2) The department of health and human services shall administer the elderly emergency aid program under the department director's supervision.
(3) Emergency vouchers must be distributed to older persons who experience public utility damage from a declared emergency.
(4) Emergency vouchers can be redeemed for the following essential utilities:
(a) Personal protective equipment.
(b) Heating equipment.
(c) Essential cleanup supplies.
(d) Fans.
(e) Blankets.
(f) Other related essential utilities.
(5) Emergency vouchers may be redeemed through the department of health and human services through an application process.
(6) Emergency assistance reimbursement shall be granted to older persons who experience public utility damage from a declared emergency.
(7) Reimbursement shall be given to utility companies to complete damage relief. Reimbursement shall be granted for repairing the following essential utilities damaged by a declared emergency:
(a) Air conditioning.
(b) Heating.
(c) Building damage.
(d) Water damage.
(e) Gas damage.
(f) Other essential utilities.
(8) Emergency reimbursement may be granted through the department of health and human services through an application process as determined by an emergency manager.
(9) Emergency help must be established to mitigate all concerns an older person may have during and after a declared emergency has occurred and must include a process in which an older person may call or email to ask for resources and guidance on assistance.
(10) Emergency help assistance options include referral to emergency reimbursement, emergency vouchers, other department of health and human services programs, local or community programs, federal programs and grants, and nonprofit aid.
(11) As used in this section and section 10b:
(a) "Declared emergency" means a declared emergency as determined by this state or the federal government.
(b) "Public utility" means any essential appliance needed for adequate living.
Sec. 10b. (1) The elderly emergency fund is created within the state treasury.
(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.
(3) Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.
(4) The department of health and human services shall be the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.
(5) The elderly emergency aid program shall expend money from the fund, upon appropriation, for the purposes of providing aid for all activated emergencies.
(6) The elderly emergency fund shall be divided into the following categories:
(a) 60% shall be allocated for emergency assistance reimbursement.
(b) 30% shall be allocated for emergency vouchers.
(c) 10% shall be allocated for emergency help.
