House Bill 5616
Sponsor: Rep. Beverly Hammerstrom
Committee: Appropriations
Complete to 6-25-98
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5616 AS INTRODUCED 2-26-98
House Bill 5616 would amend the Older Michiganians Act to require the secretary of state to establish a Michigan Card Program, and to provide a Michigan card to all residents who apply if they are at least 65 years old, or disabled. The secretary of state's office would bear the costs of producing, distributing, and administering the cards (including replacing cards when they are lost), and people in that office would be required to establish the identity and verify the age of applicants. The card would contain the signature of the cardholder, and would not be transferrable. Cardholders whose cards were issued in other states would be entitled to the same benefits as a Michigan cardholder, if the state programs were similar.
Under the bill, the new Michigan Card Program would be created by the director of the Office of Services to the Aging in the Department of Community Health. The director would be required to devise programs that give benefits to cardholders, and to encourage support and participation for the program among citizens and governmental organizations throughout the state.
MCL 400.595
Analyst: J. Hunault