Rep. Veronica Paiz

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's mental health code to establish a legal framework for supportive decision-making agreements, allowing individuals with developmental disabilities to enter into contracts where trusted friends, family, or professionals assist them in understanding choices without removing their legal authority. The legislation requires courts to prioritize these less restrictive alternatives over traditional guardianship whenever possible, ensuring that any restrictions on a person's personal liberty or financial management are the minimum necessary for their protection. By defining supportive decision-making as a collaborative process that respects an individual's right to make their own decisions, the bill aims to promote maximum self-reliance and independence while still providing safeguards against neglect, exploitation, and abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's vehicle lease laws to address what happens when a lessee dies before the lease term ends. It prohibits lease contracts from automatically terminating or banning early termination solely due to the lessee's death. Instead, the deceased person's estate must choose to either keep the lease active and continue payments or return the vehicle to end the contract without owing future payments. These rules apply only to lease agreements that begin, renew, or modify after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Cultural History Advisory Board within the Michigan Department of Education to assist with developing curriculum and professional development focused on diverse cultural histories. The board will consist of appointed members representing various communities, including Asian-American and Pacific Islander, Latino and Hispanic, African-American, Indigenous, and Jewish-American groups, as well as educators, higher education representatives, and labor organizations. Once established, the board is tasked with providing recommendations on a K-12 curriculum toolkit and cultural competency training that addresses the histories of these specific populations. The legislation outlines the appointment process, term lengths, meeting requirements, and the board's responsibility to collaborate with community leaders and experts to guide curriculum development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to include one unit of instruction each on the histories of African Americans, Indigenous People, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other specific ethnic groups starting in the 2027-2028 school year. These lessons must cover contributions to society, local history including discriminatory policies, and civil rights advancements, with the state superintendent providing guidelines developed with input from relevant cultural centers and experts. School districts have the flexibility to integrate these units into existing lesson plans or offer them as virtual courses, while administrators are tasked with monitoring compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify the Department of Environment Quality's responsibilities regarding water resources and pollution control. It explicitly states that the department must protect and conserve Michigan's surface and underground waters, including the Great Lakes, and manage waste disposal impacts. The legislation also outlines the department's role in assisting flood control districts and complying with federal water pollution laws using appropriated funds. A key provision notes that existing rules created before January 1, 2007, will remain in effect unless officially rescinded, while limiting the creation of new rules under specific sections.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by clarifying definitions for political terms and expanding reporting requirements for specific nonprofit groups. It formally defines "501(c)(4) organizations" and "527 organizations" as entities that are controlled, directed, or staffed by candidates, elected officials, their appointees, or their family members. Additionally, the legislation provides new definitions for concepts like "election cycle," "honorarium," and "fund raising event" to ensure consistent application of campaign finance rules. These changes directly affect political candidates, public officials, and the nonprofit organizations that interact with them by establishing clearer boundaries for what must be disclosed to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 6232 amends Michigan's tax administration laws to allow the Department of Treasury to share specific information found on state income tax returns with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. This change enables the insurance department to access data relevant to insurance matters, such as details about life insurance policies or annuities held by taxpayers. The bill does not create new taxes or change tax rates but rather clarifies the conditions under which tax records can be disclosed to other state agencies for regulatory purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover hearing-related services and devices for individuals under 19 who have been evaluated by an audiologist for hearing loss. The coverage includes audiologist exams, hearing aid fittings, maintenance, repairs, remote microphones, and speech therapy, though insurers may still apply standard cost-sharing rules like deductibles and co-pays. The law specifically excludes plans tied to health savings accounts to ensure compliance with federal tax regulations and will only take effect on January 1, 2026, if a related bill is also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's state income tax forms to include a checkoff box that allows taxpayers to voluntarily authorize the sharing of their insurance status with state agencies. Starting in the 2025 tax year, if a taxpayer selects this option, the Department of Treasury will share their information with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the health insurance exchange to help determine eligibility for affordable health coverage. The forms will also require the date of birth for any uninsured individuals listed on the return and provide a space for taxpayers to indicate interest in specific insurance programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that tax instructions explain the consequences of disclosing this information and how the data will be used to facilitate enrollment in health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain political nonprofits, specifically 527 and 501(c)(4) organizations, to electronically register with the Michigan Secretary of State within 10 days of forming. The registration must include the organization's name, the names of its key leaders, and the elected officials or candidates they support. The Secretary of State will make this information publicly available on their website, while political party committees are exempt from these requirements. Organizations that fail to register face civil fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on their financial balance, and individual officials associated with non-compliant groups may also be fined up to $1,000.