Gretchen Whitmer signs bill ending Michigan's 'gay panic' defense

Gretchen Whitmer fielded questions about speculation that she’ll be joining Kamala Harris as her vice presidential pick on the 2024 ballot, she signed Michigan’s $23.4B education budget into law Tuesday, as well as 39 other bills. “Today, I was proud to sign 39 bills that will make a real difference in people’s lives and deliver on a range of bipartisan priorities,” Whitmer said in a news release “From raising wages for clean energy workers to bolstering Michigan’s infrastructure; improving the criminal justice system to investing in our schools, today’s legislation will build on our strong economic momentum and move Michigan forward.” Among the bills signed was HB 4718, which bans the “gay panic” or “trans panic” legal defense. “This bill, alongside many other monumental pieces of legislation brought forth by Michigan Democrats, is a huge step toward securing a safe and inclusive state for all Michiganders.” Another bill, SB 599, expands parole eligibility for medically frail inmates who have a life expectancy of 18 months or less to be allowed to be placed in medical facilities. of Corrections, and, most importantly, a win for the people of Michigan, and particularly for the loved ones of medically frail incarcerated people.” SBs 706 and 799 eliminate the $125 reinstatement fee Michigan drivers have to pay if they want to undo the suspicion on their license for not paying outstanding driver responsibility fees, which used to be attached to some traffic tickets. “With the governor’s signature on these bills, we’re finally putting these punitive fees behind us and dismantling the remaining barriers facing residents who are seeking to restore their license.” Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c public charity.