Rep. Kimberly Edwards

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Michigan Community Investment Tax Credit program that allows taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 50% on donations made to qualified organizations between December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2030. The program is designed to encourage private investment in local communities by letting donors claim the credit against their tax liability, with any unused portion carried forward for up to five years. A total annual cap of $25 million limits the total credits available, and the Department of Treasury must report how these funds are distributed among organizations. The legislation requires cooperation with the Michigan Strategic Fund and mandates that donations be certified by the recipient organization to be eligible for the tax benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to use records of deferred domestic violence charges as evidence when deciding child custody and parenting time cases. It requires courts to make these previously sealed records available to judges and the parties involved in custody disputes to help determine the best interests of the child. The legislation does not change how domestic violence cases are handled but instead ensures that past deferred charges are visible in family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 6009 amends Michigan's penal code to establish new guidelines for expert testimony in assault cases involving domestic violence or attacks on healthcare workers. The bill requires that any expert witness testifying in these specific prosecutions must have demonstrated expertise and experience working with victims of domestic violence. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "dating relationship" and "health professional" to clarify the scope of protected individuals and situations. These changes aim to ensure that expert testimony in such cases is provided by individuals with relevant background knowledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May each year in Michigan as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The legislation aims to increase public and medical knowledge about Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological condition that currently has no cure. By officially recognizing this time period, the state hopes to encourage greater understanding of the disease's challenges and support ongoing research efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from covering any medical service if the patient's required copayment or coinsurance exceeds 50% of the total cost. It applies to new policies starting after the law is passed and to existing policies when they are next renewed or changed. If an insurer includes such a high-cost service in a plan, they would be violating this rule, and the state insurance director is authorized to investigate complaints about these violations. The measure aims to ensure that patients do not face excessive out-of-pocket costs for services included in their health insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a legal exception for adults in Michigan who have a diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder. It would allow individuals aged 18 and older to legally possess up to two ounces of psilocybin or psilocin for personal use if they have a medical record confirming their PTSD diagnosis. The legislation specifically removes criminal liability for creating, manufacturing, possessing, or using these substances under these strict conditions. By adding a new section to the state's public health code, the bill aims to provide a regulated pathway for therapeutic access to these compounds for qualifying patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the owners and top executives of contractors seeking or holding state and local government contracts worth at least $250,000 from making political donations. The restrictions apply to contributions to candidates, political parties, and specific types of advocacy groups during a period starting 18 months before a contract is sought and ending 18 months after the contract concludes. If a contractor violates these rules, they face penalties including the cancellation of current contracts or disqualification from future contracts for up to three years. The law defines "contractor" to include businesses and nonprofits receiving significant government funding and specifies which individuals within those organizations are subject to the donation ban.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies from awarding contracts to companies whose principals have donated to specific political groups within 18 months before signing the agreement. The law defines "principals" to include company owners, executives, board members, and employees involved in government relations, while banning donations to candidate committees, party committees, and certain tax-exempt political organizations. To enforce this rule, contractors must sign an affidavit confirming no prohibited donations were made during the 18 months prior to the contract, throughout the contract term, and for 18 months after it ends. Violations would render the contract void and bar the company from future state contracts for three years, though the ban does not apply to small businesses with less than $250,000 in state contracts or to grants and loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's crime victim compensation law to explicitly include reimbursement for pet boarding expenses when a victim must relocate immediately following a crime. The legislation allows victims to receive up to $45,000 total for various out-of-pocket losses, with specific sub-limits for categories such as medical care, counseling, relocation, and funeral costs. By adding pet boarding to the list of eligible expenses, the bill ensures that pet owners can access funds to board their animals while they move to a safer location. The amendment applies to claims filed under the state's existing crime victim services program without changing the overall funding structure or eligibility criteria for other types of compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists in Michigan by modifying existing educational and clinical experience standards. It clarifies that applicants must hold a master's degree from an accredited program and complete specific graduate-level coursework in family studies, therapy methodology, and ethics. The legislation also adjusts the amount of supervised clinical hours needed, increasing the post-degree requirement to 1,000 hours with stricter supervision ratios and face-to-face contact mandates. Additionally, it allows for a waiver of certain clinical hour requirements for individuals who have earned a doctoral degree in the field.