In addition to sponsoring legislation to require all emergency rooms to promptly offer emergency contraception (EC) to survivors of sexual assault, Rebekah co-sponsored a package of bills in 2008 to create the Sexual Assault Victims’ Medical Forensic Intervention and Treatment Act and a corresponding fund. These bills provide a funding source that will increase the number of trained professionals and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) programs throughout the state, allowing us to better assist survivors of sexual assault and perform evidence gathering for the prosecution of these cases (Public Acts 546 and 547 of 2008).

Postpartum Depression (PPD), also known as perinatal mood disorder or PMD, impacts nearly 20% of families who have infants, with many more cases going unreported or undiagnosed. In fact, over 2,500 women and their families are affected by PPD/PMD each year in the state of Michigan. In an effort to educate others about this alarming trend, Rebekah has sponsored a resolution declaring May as Postpartum Depression Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.