HUMAN TRAFFICKING: MED. BENEFITS S.B. 592:
SUMMARY AS ENACTED
Senate Bill 592 (as enacted) PUBLIC ACT 341 of 2014
Senate Committee: Families, Seniors and Human Services
House Committee: Criminal Justice
CONTENT
The bill amended the Social Welfare Act to specify that an individual who is a victim of a human trafficking violation may receive medical assistance benefits for psychological and medical treatment resulting from his or her status as a victim of that violation.
The bill took effect on January 14, 2015.
The bill defines "human trafficking violation" as a violation of Chapter 67A (Human Trafficking) of the Michigan Penal Code. As amended by House Bill 5234 (Public Act 329 of 2014), violations of Chapter 67A include:
-- Knowingly recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining an individual for forced labor or services, or debt bondage.
-- Knowingly recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining an individual by any means, knowing that individual will be subjected to forced labor or services or debt bondage.
-- Knowingly benefiting financially or receiving anything of value from participation in an enterprise, if the enterprise has engaged in an act proscribed under Chapter 67A.
-- Recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining by any means a minor for commercial sexual activity, or forced labor or services.
-- Attempting, conspiring, or soliciting another to violate Chapter 67A.
The Social Welfare Act requires the Department of Community Health to establish a program for medical assistance for the medically indigent under Title 19 (Medicaid) of the Federal Social Security Act.
MCL 400.109m Legislative Analyst: Jeff Mann
FISCAL IMPACT
A person's eligibility for Medicaid is determined based on income, assets, and other eligibility criteria. Status as a victim does not affect the eligibility determination. Furthermore, the bill's language is permissive. Therefore, the bill will have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Steve Angelotti
This 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.