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HB 5261

AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jose Batista and 9 co-sponsors

Establishes a MDHHS-MVAA interagency program to expand outreach, resources, and family navigation for mental health and SUD support for service members, veterans, and families.

03/04/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5261

Summary — HB 5261 (Michigan, 103rd Legislature)

Status: Introduced. Bill electronically reproduced 11/12/2025. Primary sponsor: Rep. Julie Rogers. Companion: SB 1649. Tied to HB 5270 (see “Enacting condition”).

Purpose

To establish a coordinated state role between the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS, “the department”) and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA, “the agency”) to expand outreach, resources, and family-centered support for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) needs of service members, veterans, and their families. The bill adds section 322 to the Michigan military act (1967 PA 150).

Key provisions

  • Interagency agreement: MDHHS must enter into an interagency agreement with MVAA to coordinate activities described below.
  • Statewide outreach: Conduct statewide outreach on mental health and SUD support resources for service members, veterans, and their families.
  • Resource development: Develop materials to help families recognize changes in a service member’s or veteran’s mental health, including SUD indicators.
  • Data collection: Collect the information required by section 5 of the Protecting Veterans Mental Health Act (as referenced in the bill).
  • Family navigation program: MDHHS shall create and operate a program providing resources and support to families to navigate mental health and SUD services for service members, veterans, and those affected by their disorders.
  • Digital access: MVAA may use electronic or mobile platforms to connect veterans, service members, and families to available services and resources under the interagency agreement.
  • FOIA exemption: Writings prepared or retained by MDHHS or MVAA that contain information specific to an individual service member or veteran in the performance of official functions under this section are exempt from disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (1976 PA 442).
  • Definitions: Clarifies that “agency” = MVAA and “department” = MDHHS.

Who is affected

  • Directly: service members, veterans, and their families (improved outreach, navigation, and digital access to services).
  • Agencies: MDHHS and MVAA (must negotiate/implement the interagency agreement and program).
  • Public transparency: FOIA exemption limits public access to individual-specific documents created under this section.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed: March 14, 2025; committee activity and hearings occurred April–May 2025 (reported favorably as substituted April 23, 2025; placed on General State Calendar May 13, 2025).
  • Reproduced/introduced again: bill electronically reproduced Nov 12, 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.
  • Enacting condition: This act does not take effect unless HB 5270 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law (tie-bar).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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