Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has commended the efforts of lawmakers following the House's approval of a trio of bills designed to streamline the medical decision-making process for incapacitated adults. As reported by the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the legislation consists of House Bills 4418, 4419, and 4734. These measures aim to alleviate the emotional and financial burden on families by sidestepping potentially arduous court proceedings to establish medical consent through surrogacy.
"Far too often, Michigan families are forced into a courtroom during their most difficult moments," said Nessel in a statement that outlined the significance of the bills. These bills establish a clear process for surrogate medical consent that protects vulnerable adults, improves patient care, and reduces unnecessary legal battles. The journey of the legislation now continues as it will advance to the Michigan Senate for consideration, per the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
This proposed legislation stems from the collaborative work of the Elder Abuse Task Force, which was launched in 2019 to combat the exploitation of older adults in Michigan. The task force, with a composition of more than 55 entities spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors, actively works through seven subcommittees to spearhead nine initiatives aimed at safeguarding this population.
Among the significant achievements credited to the task force, according to the state's announcement, is the establishment of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form utilized across law enforcement agencies statewide. In addition, the successful passage of the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (FEPA) in 2021 was one of their notable legislative victories. It mandated that financial institutions report any suspected fraudulent activity targeting this demographic. Michigan residents who may suspect elder abuse are encouraged to make a report by calling 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911.
