LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Part of a series of legislation signed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer before the end of the year was a billed sponsored by Kalamazoo’s state senator to assist communities dealing with overdoses.
Senate Bill 133, sponsored by State Senator Sean McCann, creates an overdose fatality review act, which would allow a county or counties to establish an overdose fatality review team. The teams would examine the causes of drug overdoses in the area and recommend policies to prevent overdoses.
According to McCann, “Overdose Fatality Review Teams (OFRT) will provide a new tool for Michigan to help fight the opioid epidemic. This law will permit a county or group of counties to coordinate community experts, such as first responders, medical professionals, members of law enforcement, substance use disorder professionals and others, who will look at trends and local risk factors involving opioid fatalities, and then make recommendations to better curb overdose fatalities in the future. The law also provides necessary confidentiality protections similar to elder and child fatality review teams.”
The governor also signed legislation to establish a dental oral assessment program, protect seniors from financial abuse, and protect dogs and cats used in testing facilities.
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