39 New Michigan Laws Just Signed By Gov. Rick Snyder

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed about 25 new laws since July 1, including one that makes female genital mutilation a 15-year felony for both the doctors performing the procedure and parents who allow it. Other new laws decriminalize the possession of switchblades, modify the state’s concealed pistol licensing law and set up a commission to commemorate the centennial of World War I.

Michigan policymakers moved quickly as details of a federal investigation into female genital mutilation began to emerge. Three Metro Detroit physicians and three others are at the center of a landmark federal case that could test the limits of First Amendment religious protections.

The 20-year-old federal statute criminalizing female genital mutilation, practiced among some cultures to curb girls’ and women’s sexual desires, makes it a five-year felony. The new Michigan law, Public Acts 68-79, is tougher by 10 years, increases the statute of limitations for victim to file civil lawsuits, and provides for more public awareness campaigns, especially among immigrant and refugee populations.

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Here are some more laws signed by the governor:

Senate Bill 410 allows for a health professional’s license or registration to be permanently revoked if the individual is convicted of female genital mutilation. It is now Public Act 81 of 2017.

Senate Bill 76 increases Department of Natural Resources funding for outdoor recreation development and land acquisition projects in 87 communities across the state. It is now Public Act 93 of 2017.

Senate Bill 160 redefines “autocycle” to to include equipment required on a motorcycle. It is now Public Act 94 of 2017.

• See More: Tough Michigan Female Genital Mutilation Bill: 5 Essential Facts

Senate Bill 219 modifies the state’s Concealed Pistol Licensing application and licensing process to include requirements that sheriffs notify county clerks if an individual becomes ineligible for a CPL, unless the Michigan State Police or the county sheriff has determined the applicant is not prohibited under federal law from possessing or transporting a firearm. It is now Public Act 95 of 2017.

Senate Bill 245 eliminates current law prohibiting the sale or possession of spring-assisted knives, also referred to as “switchblades”. It is now Public Act 96 of 2017.

Senate Bill 248 creates a new commission within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs charged with planning, developing and executing programs and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. It is now Public Act 97 of 2017.

Senate Bill 249 creates a new Educational Instruction Access Act that limits the ability for local governing bodies to restrict the sale, transfer, lease, or rental of property for educational purpose by an educational institution or private school. It is now Public Act 98 of 2017.

Senate Bill 260 extends the sunset allowing the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to continue collecting certain fees from both in-state and out-of-state educational institutions that offer distance education courses and programs. It is now Public Act 99 of 2017.

Senate Bill 267 extends the sunset on the Student Safety Act from October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2021. The Act helps provide an anonymous hotline for students to report threats of violence. It is now Public Act 100 of 2017.

Senate Bill 333 makes amendments to the jurisdiction of business courts, specifying that business courts have authority over business and commercial disputes that seek declaratory and equitable relief rather than just monetary damages. It is now Public Act 101 of 2017.

Senate Bill 380 makes amendments to the statutory deadlines related to personal property tax reimbursements to local governments. This change accommodates the extended deadline for employers with eligible manufacturing personal property to file for personal property tax exemptions. It is now Public Act 102 of 2017.

Senate Bill 383 amends the Child Identification and Protection Act to modify the procedure for fingerprinting and photographing a child or youth with special health care needs. The bill specifies that certain conditions that apply to fingerprinting a child or youth with special health care needs would not apply to a child or youth without special health care needs. It is now Public Act 103 of 2017.

Senate Bill 394 extends the sunset that requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to continue paying the cost for certain services provided by private foster care providers until September 30, 2018. It is now Public Act 104 of 2017.

Senate Bill 433 amends the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to meet federal background check requirements. The bill requires fingerprints be submitted to the Michigan State Police and FBI for background checks and outlines the process for taking the fingerprints and the reimbursement of costs. It is now Public Act 105 of 2017.

House Bill 4759 authorizes the Department of Technology, Management and Budget to sell the Farnum Building and its adjacent parking lot currently owned by the Michigan Senate for a fair market value. It is now Public Act 106 of 2017.

Senate Bill 401 will close the current MSPERS “hybrid” plan to new enrollees as of Feb. 1, 2018 and create a new 401(k)-style defined contribution plan with an automatic employer contribution of 4 percent of the employee’s salary, and an additional voluntary matching contribution of 3 percent from the state School Aid Fund. It is now Public Act 92 of 2017.

House Bill 4575 directs the Michigan Department of Treasury to determine the base and maximum rates a newspaper may charge for publishing a legal notice that is ordered to be published by a court. It is now Public Act 82 of 2017.

House Bill 4558 creates a new section of the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow for the installation of temporary bin displays for beer, wine and spirits on the site of a retailer that is licensed for off-site sales, under certain circumstances. It is now Public Act 83 of 2017.

House Bill 4186 amends current law to update the definition of “animal”, applying the option for animal shelters to check backgrounds of potential adopters for animal cruelty violations to the intended industries. It is now Public Act 84 of 2017.

House Bill 4427 creates the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act to establish guidelines and procedures for law enforcement officers wearing body-worn cameras. It is now Public Act 85 of 2017.

House Bills 4556-4557 prohibit the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer and wine into Michigan. HB 4556 makes the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer or wine a felony against the public order with a maximum prison sentence of four years. HB 4557 specifies the civil and criminal penalties or sanctions for the illegal sale, delivery or importation of beer or wine. The measures are now Public Acts 86-87 of 2017.

House Bill 4559 allows for the sampling of beer and wine products by wholesaler’s employees for educational purposes. The bill also outlines certain conditions when sampling is allowable, requiring employees be at least 21 years of age and that the sampling take place on the licensed premises of a wholesaler. It is now Public Act 88 of 2017.

House Bill 4213 amends the Minor in Possession (MIP) law to clarify that an initial breath test cannot be administered without the consent of the minor or a court order. The bill also allows for a law enforcement officer to request a court order. It is now Public Act 89 of 2017.

House Bills 4540-4541 extend several fee sunsets. HB 4540 extends the current sunset date of Oct. 1, 2017 to Oct. 1, 2021 for various hazardous waste related fees as well as operator certification and training fees. HB 4541 extends the current sunset date of Oct. 1, 2017 to Oct. 1, 2021 for operator training and certification fees for individuals seeking certification to operate a public water supply. The measures are now Public Acts 90-91 of 2017.

Senate Bill 159 allows a weight exemption of up to 2,000 pounds to be made for vehicles that are powered by compressed natural gas. This allows a vehicle powered by compressed natural gas to carry the same load as a traditional fuel vehicle. It is now Public Act 80 of 2017.

(AP Photo/David Eggert)