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From our State Capitol in Lansing to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, WKAR is committed to explaining how the actions of lawmakers are affecting Michiganders. Political and government reporter Abigail Censky leads this section. There are also stories from Capitol correspondents Cheyna Roth, Rick Pluta and the Associated Press. As the 2020 presidential race begins, look here for reports on the role Michigan will play in electing or re-electing the president.

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills To Allow Parole Of Seriously Ill Inmates

Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Amanda Pinckney
/
WKAR
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) Michigan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed laws letting Michigan release seriously ill and incapacitated prisoners early by having them treated at nursing homes or hospitals instead.

Whitmer says the four new measures will help the state properly manage treatment options for an aging prisoner population while reducing costs.

Those eligible will remain under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, but be paroled before their earliest release dates if cared for in non-prison facilities. The state could save money because the treatment of "medically frail" inmates could be fully or partly covered by federal insurance programs.

The Democratic governor signed the legislation Wednesday. It had received overwhelmingly legislative approval and will take effect in August.

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