Protecting and preventing victims of domestic and sexual violence In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for protecting and preventing victims of domestic and sexual violence through: Authored legislation to make it a crime to wilfully and maliciously prevent or obstruct any communication, such as cell phones, phones or the Internet, that could also be used in domestic abuse cases where the perpetrator seeks to isolate the victim. (PAs 61 and 62 of 2006) Eliminate the ability of individuals convicted of a felony from receiving a domestic violence deferral. (PA 663 of 2006) Hosted Sexual Assault Summit for lawmakers, law enforcement, sexual assault prevention advocates, prosecutors, families and residents to gain insight on the causes, consequences and prevention of sexual assault in Michigan (2006)   Enhancing Consumer protection In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for enhancing consumer protection through: Introduced a resolution to investigate all potential price gouging, price fixing, collusion, and other anticompetitive practices related to gasoline prices. (LIHEAP) (HB 0182 of 2006) Require brokers and real estate salespersons to undertake certain minimum duties and services, and require disclosure of those responsibilities (PA 90 of 2008)   Keeping dangerous Criminals off our streets In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for keeping dangerous criminals off our streets through: Chair, House Subcommittee on Accountability and Public Safety (2006) Conducted statewide hearings to investigate failures and address loopholes in Michigan’s parole system which led to the deaths of Michigan residents from the premature release of a prisoner; and chaired hearings to address proper treatment of inmates following the death of a prisoner due to extreme and inhumane prison conditions (2006) Prevent courts from dropping charges of assault or domestic violence if the accused had been previously convicted of an assaultive crime. The bill also would allow a court to impose more types of probation conditions on domestic violence offenders, including some jail time (PA 663 of 2006) Required child care providers to follow the background check regulations that apply to school employees if the child care service is operated within a school, and establish that the criminal background checks required for child care providers need only be performed one time if the provider remains continuously licensed (PA 580 of 2006) Amend various acts to ease the ability of prisoners, after release upon parole or completion of their sentences, to obtain driver's licenses, state personal I.D. Cards, and a debit card (HB 5568 2007)   Working to create and retain jobs In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for working to create and retain jobs through: Helped retain 100 jobs at DSM Pharma Chemicals through legislation authorizing Single Business Tax credits for the Southwest Michigan company (PA 484 of 2006) Member of the Michigan Tourism Task Force, participating in statewide hearings to gather testimony from tourism officials and small-business owners on how best to strengthen Michigan’s tourism industry and create jobs (2007) Assisted in securing Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) opportunities for local development of the Lawrence water tower Passed legislation to clarify within statute that leaded fuel intended for use on a race track is NOT subject to the state’s Motor Fuel Tax of $0.19, (PA 277 of 2006) Passed legislation exempting aviation fuel from the motor fuel tax for the production of racing fuel (PA’s 25 & 26 of 2008) Notwithstanding any provision in the food code to the contrary, a food service establishment serving food outdoors may allow the presence of a leashed dog, accompanying a customer, in the area designated for the outdoor service and consumption of food (HB 5000 of 2007)   Promoting Business and Cutting Taxes in Michigan In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for promoting business and cutting taxes in Michigan through: Working on legislation to expand the program so Michigan’s working disabled, as valuable assets to the workforce, can retain health insurance and benefits in order to assist businesses and communities (Draft proposal) Develop the Uniform Securities Act to give states regulatory and enforcement authority that avoids duplication of regulatory effort and blends with federal regulation and enforcement in a more efficient system for investor protection. Provide the necessary penalties for violating the new act. (HB 5015 of 2006) Provide a sales tax exemption for home heating oil (HB 5623 of 2008) Provide for a tax deduction on fitness center memberships and exercise equipment (HB 5621 of 2008) Elimination of Rules Against Perpetuity as it applies to personal property (PA 149 of 2008) Amend the Aeronautics Code and the Motor Fuel Tax Act to exempt aviation fuel that was purchased to formulate leaded facing fuel from the aviation fuel tax and the motor fuel tax (PA 26 of 2008)   Keeping kids and communities safe from drugs In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for keeping kids and communities safe from drugs through: Required the State Police to create and maintain a computerized database for compiling information regarding methamphetamine manufacture, use, possession, and distribution in Michigan (PA 262 of 2006) Granted county health departments the authority to have a medical evaluation of a child done without parental permission or a court order if the child displays symptoms suspected to be the result of exposure to or contact with methamphetamine production (PA 266 of 2006) Required background checks on foster care providers and applicants of adult residents in foster care homes (HB 4477 of 2007)   Promoting and protecting Michigan agriculture In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for promoting and protecting Michigan agriculture through: Sponsored a resolution urging the Michigan Department of Agriculture to provide indemnification to producers who need to destroy crops and to increase inspections of products from Ontario in order to prevent the spread of downy mildew (HR 295 of 2006) Require pink dye in anhydrous ammonia to deter theft for the production of meth. (HB 4894 of 2005) Sponsored legislation repealing the service tax as it pertains to the agriculture warehouse tax (HB 5483 of 2007) Proposed establishing the blueberry as the State Fruit of Michigan (HB 5622 of 2008) Awarded “Women of the Year” by the Michigan Rural Water Association   A quality education for every child in Michigan In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for a quality education for every child in Michigan through: Awarded “Friends of Education,” Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha Iota State-Michigan   Streamlining the Judicial Process In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for streamlining the judicial process through: Amend the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) to revise provisions granting a personal representative, conservator, and trustee the power to employ an attorney (PA 204 of 2005) Amend PA 259 of 1909 to provide for the rights of divorcing parties in and to life insurance, pensions, annuities, and retirement allowances (PA 288 of 2006) Sponsored legislation to repeal Dower Rights   Constituent Services In the House, Representative Schuitmaker works for constituent services through: Assist 70-100 constituents per week to navigate state government agencies Facilitate through newsletters & information packets, a more inform constituency Hosted the Senior and Veteran Expo for the past 3 years