Dear Neighbors,

Welcome to this month’s edition of my e-newsletter. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle the tough issues that will help lower the cost of living, help families get ahead, and build a brighter future for all who call Michigan home.

As always, I welcome your feedback on current issues facing Michigan or the Greater Rochester Area, Troy, Sterling Heights, and Utica communities. Constituent feedback is vital as I represent our communities in Lansing. If you are experiencing a problem with one of our state government agencies, my office is always available to assist with finding a solution. I respect your opinion and will always do my best to make myself available and accessible to you.

Please take a moment to visit my website, like my official Facebook page, send me an email or call my office at 517-373-0994. If you have any questions, concerns or opinions on what is happening, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Michael Webber
State Senator
9th District

I have reintroduced legislation to address growing concerns over patient rights and oversight at state-run psychiatric hospitals. Tragic reports and avoidable events over the years have highlighted the need for improved oversight and increased transparency at these vital facilities. This legislation is just the first step in addressing serious concerns and bringing peace of mind to families with loved ones being treated under the state’s care.

My Senate Bill 142 would add representatives from Disability Rights Michigan, Mental Health Association in Michigan, and Arc Michigan as permanent standing members to the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and prohibit any MDHHS executive office staff from being appointed to or serving on the committee. These reforms would strengthen the Office of Recipient Rights — the entity responsible for investigating patient treatment complaints — and protect it against pressures that could interfere with the impartial, even-handed, and thorough performance of its functions currently outlined in state law.

SB 143, introduced by Sen. Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes, and cosponsored by myself, would require hospitals to give voluntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients written notice of their rights. Hospitals are already required to give involuntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients written notice of their rights. This would ensure that all patients are aware of and able to take advantage of the rights afforded to them by state and federal law.

From nutritional concerns, lawsuits, patients escaping, questions surrounding care, lack of transparency, and recipient rights complaints going unanswered, it is clear that we must do more to drastically improve care and operations at our state and community mental health facilities, and we have a duty to do so.

Click on the image below to watch WDIV’s recent investigative report, including my full interview with reporter Karen Drew, about mounting concerns over care at our state psychiatric hospitals.

I welcomed Marty Knollenberg (left), owner of Sedona Taphouse in Troy, and Mark Wibel (right), former Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association board chairman, to the Michigan Capitol as my guests for the governor’s 2025 State of the State address in February.

Legislators from both sides of the aisle had recently come together to save the restaurant and hospitality industries from certain devastation following a court mandate to eliminate Michigan’s tip credit system. I was happy restaurant owners from the 9th District could join me at the state Capitol to celebrate this important win for Michigan’s economic future.

Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, and I recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help limit misdiagnoses and provide more accurate care for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This legislation will bring Michigan up to par with other states in providing the most modern diagnoses and care standards as we continue to grow in our understanding of ASD. Current out-of-date policies are leading to increases in misdiagnosed individuals, which can then result in limited care access or the wrong care plan altogether. These bills help ensure the right care plans are accessible for the right individuals.

Senate Bills 103 and 104 would allow any master’s level mental health professional employed by a benevolent organization to diagnose ASD, so long as they have three years or more of ongoing professional development experience and are supervised by a non-limited licensed psychologist. Currently, no licensed psychologist supervision is required.

During the month of March, I visited several elementary schools to read to students as part of March is Reading Month. Reading is a key feature of learning, and I am happy to participate in its celebration and to encourage students of all ages to read. Reading is fun and has many benefits, particularly for children. It is important to build reading skills at a young age so that students can succeed both in school and in professional life.

No appointment is necessary to attend. The 9th Senate District includes the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Utica, along with parts of Oakland Township, Shelby Township and Sterling Heights.