PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLAN H.B. 5630 & 5631: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bills 5630 and 5631 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Leslie Mortimer (H.B. 5630)
Representative Richard Ball (H.B. 5631)
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
CONTENT
House Bill 5630 would amend the Public Health Code to require the Department of Community Health (DCH) to establish and maintain a pandemic influenza plan. In consultation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the State's local health departments, the DCH would have to review and update the plan at least annually. The DCH would have to make the plan and any updates to it available to the public through the Department's website.
Beginning one year after the bill took effect, the DCH would have to prepare an annual report regarding the plan, including an assessment of its effectiveness and Michigan's preparedness for an influenza outbreak, and present the report to the standing committees and appropriations subcommittees of the Senate and the House of Representatives that address public health issues primarily.
House Bill 5631 would amend the Code to require the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture to assist the DCH in any review or update of the pandemic influenza plan, and cooperate with and assist the DCH Director in his or her response to an epidemic involving avian influenza or another virus or disease that is or may be spread by contact with animals. The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5630.
Proposed MCL 333.5112 (H.B. 5630) Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
MCL 333.2253 (H.B. 5631)
FISCAL IMPACT
Over the past 12 months, the Department of Community Health, in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Federal agencies, has updated Michigan's pandemic influenza response plan. The cost of formulating and maintaining this response plan has been largely underwritten by Federal grant funds. The State of Michigan recently received an additional $3 million grant from the Federal government designed to accelerate State pandemic influenza planning efforts.
The reporting requirements included in House Bill 5630 would likely create additional minor administrative costs to the Department, although it is probable that Federal grant funds could be used to cover these costs.
Date Completed: 5-4-06 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
David Fosdick
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5630&5631/0506