CHOSE LIFE FUND; UNPLANNED OR UNWANTED PREGNANCY SERVICES
House Bill 4759
Sponsor: Rep. Gary Newell
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 5-14-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4759 AS INTRODUCED 5-10-01
House Bill 4759 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to create a Choose Life Fund within the Department of Treasury, to be administered by the Office of the Secretary of State. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 466 so that it could not become law unless that bill also were enacted. (Senate Bill 466 would require the secretary of state to develop and issue a "Choose Life" vehicle registration plate. A person would pay an additional $25 for this plate, and the donation would be deposited into the fund to be created under House Bill 4759.)
House Bill 4759 specifies that the state treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Choose Life fund, and would direct investment of those funds, as well as credit to the fund the interest and earnings from fund investments. Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year would not lapse to the general fund.
The bill also specifies that the secretary of state would be required to disburse money in the fund on a quarterly basis to each county, in proportion to the amount of donations received from issuing Choose Life vehicle registration plates in the county. Then, each county would be required to distribute the money received only to a non-governmental not-for-profit agency or organization that provided services and counseling to women who had unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. The agency or organization that received the money could be located within the county or in an adjacent county. However, an agency that received money could not charge a fee for the services or counseling provided. Further, an agency that received money would be required to provide an annual accounting of the use of the money to the county. Under the bill, money could not be distributed to an agency that was involved or associated with abortion counseling, referrals to abortion clinics, or providing abortion procedures.
MCL 257.217j
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.