Rep. Betsy Coffia

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to take necessary precautions around blind pedestrians using travel aids like canes, walkers, or guide dogs. It directly affects vehicle operators and blind individuals by clarifying that a blind person's failure to use these aids cannot be used as evidence of negligence in injury or death cases. The legislation establishes specific misdemeanor and felony charges with higher fines and potential jail time for violations that result in injury or the death of a blind person or their service animal. Additionally, it mandates that peace officers investigate reported violations and requires prosecutors to inform the blind pedestrian of their decision to charge, along with the reasons for that decision.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to strengthen protections against employment discrimination and unequal pay. It allows individuals who win a case to receive triple the amount of damages they would normally get and clarifies that these damages include reasonable attorney fees. Additionally, the bill changes the rule for when a legal claim starts, setting the date to when the employee actually learns about the violation rather than when it happened. The law also specifies that lawsuits can be filed in the county where the incident occurred or where the employer is based. These changes take effect 90 days after the bill becomes official law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies from awarding construction contracts to companies that do not hold a Fair Paycheck Workplace Certificate, aiming to ensure fair labor practices in state-funded projects. It also mandates that construction contracts be awarded to the responsive and responsible best value bidder, a determination based on price, technical design, personnel quality, and other qualitative factors. Additionally, the legislation requires a preference of up to 10% of the contract amount to be given to qualified disabled veterans who are the lowest bidders. While maintaining a preference for Michigan-based firms and clean corporate citizens in general state purchases, the primary new restriction specifically targets the construction sector by barring vendors without the required labor certification from receiving state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from paying different wages to employees performing equal work based on protected attributes such as race, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, or marital status. It establishes that wage differences are only permissible if they result from a seniority system, a merit-based system, a production measurement system, or other factors unrelated to these protected characteristics. Additionally, the legislation ensures that an employer cannot lower an employee's current wage rate simply to comply with the new equal pay requirements. By repealing a conflicting provision in a previous workforce act, this law strengthens protections against wage discrimination for workers across various industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Lobbyist Act to clarify which items and services do not count as "gifts" that public employees must report. It explicitly excludes standard campaign contributions, routine business loans, meals, and contributions to registered legal defense funds from the definition of a reportable gift. Additionally, the legislation sets specific monetary limits for small, de minimis items, allowing public officials to accept single items under $20 or a total of $80 worth of items within a three-month period without triggering reporting requirements. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens for public officials while maintaining transparency around larger or more significant transfers of value.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's financial disclosure requirements for state representatives, senators, and other high-ranking public officials. It clarifies definitions for terms like "gift," "lobbyist," and "earned income" while expanding the specific details officers must report on their financial forms. Key changes include requiring the disclosure of a spouse's employment and lobbyist registration, adjusting asset and debt reporting thresholds to account for inflation, and specifying which types of investments and business positions must be listed. The legislation directly affects the transparency of financial interests for elected officials and their immediate families by standardizing how this information is collected and reported.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact in Michigan, allowing licensed physical therapists and assistants to practice across state lines with a single license. Under the new rules, a provider can work in any other member state where their patient is located without needing separate licenses for each location. The compact establishes a shared data system to track licensure and disciplinary actions among participating states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. Additionally, the legislation specifically aims to support military spouses by facilitating easier practice mobility when they relocate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Michigan to cover a 12-month supply of prescription birth control at once, provided the medication is on the plan's list of covered drugs. The law mandates that insurers also cover related medical services, such as doctor visits and exams, needed to prescribe and dispense these contraceptives. While the coverage must be available regardless of when the patient first started the plan, standard cost-sharing rules like copayments and deductibles still apply, and the requirement does not extend to the final month of a plan year. The policy takes effect on December 31, 2025, affecting all health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state or covering Michigan residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Michigan, allowing them to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The legislation creates a system where a therapist licensed in their home state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in remote states, provided the patient is located in that remote state during the encounter. Key provisions include the mutual recognition of licenses, the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information between states, and specific accommodations for military families relocating. The law also aims to improve public access to therapy services by facilitating the use of telehealth technology and ensuring consistent regulatory standards across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice under a national licensure compact. The key provision authorizes individuals who hold a compact privilege from other states to engage in practice within Michigan as if they were fully licensed under state law. By incorporating this compact, the legislation aims to facilitate easier mobility for these healthcare professionals across state lines while maintaining the same professional standards and obligations. The changes apply directly to occupational therapy practitioners and the facilities that employ them, ensuring that out-of-state compact members are recognized and regulated consistently with local licensees.