Rep. Betsy Coffia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local zoning laws to allow farms and agricultural land to host commercial weddings and similar events. It prevents municipalities from banning these activities on properties zoned for agriculture, though it permits local rules regarding noise, traffic, and operating hours. The law applies to any zoning ordinance created under Michigan's zoning enabling act and takes effect 90 days after becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits using a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity as a legal defense in criminal cases. Specifically, it bars evidence of such information from being used to claim reasonable provocation, heat of passion, or reduced mental capacity. Additionally, the bill states that discovering or knowing about a person's gender identity or sexual orientation does not justify using force against them. These rules apply to all criminal proceedings in Michigan to prevent bias from influencing the outcome of a trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance Act to provide financial support for child care costs to eligible National Guard members. To qualify, a service member must be in active duty without disciplinary issues, and they must either be a single parent or have a spouse who is also an eligible National Guard member. Approved members receive a stipend of $5.00 per hour for up to 12 hours daily during weekend drills and annual training, capped at 39 days per year. The program is administered by the Adjutant General within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs using a dedicated state fund that does not expire at the end of the fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a buddy-to-buddy mentorship program for active-duty service members and veterans living in the state. The initiative pairs individuals with volunteer mentors who provide guidance on practical matters like education, employment, and healthcare, as well as connect them with advocates for mental health and substance use support. While non-veterans can serve as mentors, the program prioritizes recruiting veterans to lead these efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes that private information shared within the program remains confidential and is exempt from public disclosure under the state's freedom of information laws. This legislation will only take effect if several other related bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to better support service members and veterans. The office will be led by a manager appointed based on experience in veteran mental health and will have the authority to collect data on mental health conditions, administer grants to local and nonprofit groups, and publish a free wellness resource guide with treatment listings and a self-assessment tool. Additionally, the legislation ensures that any personal data collected remains confidential and is exempt from public disclosure under state freedom of information laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Mental Health within the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to better support service members, veterans, and their families. It requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to partner with the agency on statewide outreach, create educational materials for families, and develop a program to help navigate mental health and substance use disorder resources. The legislation also allows for the use of mobile or electronic platforms to connect individuals with these services and protects specific personal records from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. This office will only become operational if several other related bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a transition bridge program within the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to support the mental health and well-being of service members and veterans. The program will be overseen by the office of mental health and suicide prevention and may be operated through partnerships with nonprofit organizations or government agencies. It requires the program to run at least four times a year and provide resources on recognizing mental health challenges, accessing treatment, and adapting to civilian life. Eligible participants, who must reside in Michigan, can enroll up to one year after leaving military service, with the department making a special effort to offer the program two months before and after their separation date. The legislation also mandates that any data collected excludes personally identifying information and restricts the public disclosure of records specific to individual service members.

Maddy summaryHB 5819 modifies the Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund Act to remove the requirement that individuals must have served at least 180 days during a period of war to be eligible for assistance. The bill expands eligibility to include veterans who served in the Vietnam era between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or those who received specific medals for hazardous duty on or after January 31, 1955. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous section of the act, streamlining the rules for who qualifies as a veteran for the fund's purposes. These changes directly affect current and former military service members who meet the updated service criteria and wish to access the trust fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to explicitly exclude incarcerated individuals from the definition of a "person" entitled to request public records. By removing people serving sentences in state, local, or federal correctional facilities from the law's coverage, the legislation limits their ability to access government information under this act. The text also updates definitions for terms like cybersecurity incidents and public bodies, but its primary change is restricting FOIA rights to those currently imprisoned.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2024 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month in Michigan. It serves as a formal declaration by the state legislature to recognize and honor the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community within the state. The measure does not alter laws or create new regulations but instead functions as a symbolic gesture to affirm the value and dignity of LGBTQ+ residents.