Medical amnesty legislation is just a pen stroke away from becoming law after the Michigan House passed the bill for a second time Tuesday, sending it to the governor’s desk for final approval.
The development comes as a tremendous win for ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, nearly concluding a three-year effort by representatives to push through bills aimed to prevent student binge drinking deaths.
The bill was sent back to the House to approve a Senate amendment that gave similar legal protection to sexual assault victims, easily passing for a second time.
Although most of ASMSU’s actions carry little legal authority, as almost all resolutions are a recommendation to university leaders, the poised law sets the bar higher than ever, representatives said.
“I would call this the success of my administration,” said Vice President for Governmental Affairs Victor Draine, who will retire from his position after Thursday. “This is truly tremendous legislation because it is organic.”
Gov. Rick Snyder has not yet committed to signing the bill. Spokesman Terry Stanton said Tuesday the governor would review it and make a decision within the two week window.
But overwhelming support from both parties indicates the Legislature likely would be able to override a veto. The bill passed with a near unanimous majority in both chambers.
ASMSU wasted no time to claim a public victory Tuesday.
“To the individuals still voting down medical amnesty, … nobody cares why you didn’t because we still won,” Director of Media Relations Samantha Artley posted on Twitter.
Medical amnesty legislation, which in previous years faced death and resurrection as different versions of the bill were shuffled through the hands of multiple sponsors, eventually gained weight after it was brought to Rep. Anthony Forlini, R-Harrison Township, by ASMSU Chairman Steve Marino last year.
The two worked together in drafting the bill, working to patch holes in problems from previous attempts.
After being introduced in March 2011 the bill climbed its way through both chambers, passing through the Legislature more than a year after it was proposed.
Forlini said he hopes Snyder signs the bill as soon as possible, considering graduation parties and high school proms are just around the corner.
“If they run into trouble, I want a way for them to get out,” Forlini said.
Draine also said he hopes Snyder will sign it before the week is out, giving the assembly a chance to freeze their accomplishment in time for a photo with the governor.
“Now we just gotta get him to sign it before Thursday,” he said.
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