Help, Not Jail, for the Mentally Ill - Updates from State Senator Stephanie Chang

Just a few weeks ago, the Michigan Senate voted unanimously in support of my bill SB 637 and Senator Rick Outman’s bill SB 638, to create a community crisis response fund and behavioral health jail diversion fund.

These bipartisan, forward-thinking bills will change the way we respond to behavioral health emergencies in Michigan. Let's make sure people facing mental health crises get the help they need and are directed to services, rather than unnecessarily spending time in jail. We know we can build on existing models in Michigan and around the country. We will improve public safety by helping people in crisis more effectively and help save lives.

I am very grateful to have worked with Sen. Outman and so many incredible advocates, including NASW-Michigan, Dean of WSU’s School of Social Work, Sheryl Kubiak, and her dedicated team, Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the Jail & Pretrial Incarceration Task Force, Americans for Prosperity, and Fountain House.

You can watch a video of my speech in the Senate upon passage of these bills here.

“Tampon tax” bills
I was also happy to vote yes on Senate Bill 153 and House Bill 5267 to end the sales and use tax on menstrual products. We know that many women and girls spend large sums of money on menstrual products, and they should be treated as medical necessities -- tax free. These bills will be headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk for a signature soon. I am grateful to all the legislators who worked on this issue for years!

Community updates
On Friday, November 19th at 10:30 AM, join me for a Virtual Coffee Hour to further discuss legislative updates, upcoming community programs and events, and more. Participants can join the live discussion on Facebook.com/StephanieChangMI.

On Thursday, December 2nd at 6:30 PM, I will be hosting a virtual Economic Justice Town Hall streamed on Facebook Live.