Rep. Erin Byrnes

Maddy summaryHB 4619 updates Michigan's marriage license law to remove gendered language. It changes references like "man or woman" in the residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license to gender-neutral terms. This affects anyone applying for a marriage license in Michigan by ensuring the process uses inclusive language. The bill amends Section 1 of the 1887 Marriage Act (MCL 551.101) without altering eligibility for marriage. It is a procedural language change, not a policy shift on marriage rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4581 would cap credit card interest rates for most lenders at 25% per year, directly affecting Michigan consumers who use credit cards from non-bank lenders. The bill amends existing law to prohibit regulated lenders from charging more than 25% APR on credit card extensions, while allowing banks (depository institutions) to set their own rates under current rules. It also requires interest to be calculated only on the unpaid balance of the credit card, not the full amount owed. This change aims to limit high-cost credit for personal, family, or household use under Michigan's Credit Reform Act. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on June 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4550 amends Michigan's bingo and charitable gaming law (MCL 432.105d) to prohibit qualified organizations from offering firearms as prizes in raffles held on school grounds. This directly affects schools, charities, and other groups hosting raffles on public or private K-12 school property. The key provision adds a specific ban: raffles at schools cannot include firearms as prizes, with "firearm" defined under existing law and "school" excluding homeschools. The amendment clarifies that this prohibition applies to all raffles conducted on school grounds, regardless of the raffle's size or prize value.

Maddy summaryHB 4532 expands Michigan's assault laws to specifically protect health professionals and medical volunteers who are assaulted while performing job duties. The bill increases fines for such assaults from $500 to $1,000 (for non-patient offenders) and requires health facilities to post clear notices about this penalty. It excludes patients receiving treatment from the enhanced fine but still allows prosecution for patient assaults. This directly affects doctors, nurses, and volunteers working in healthcare settings during their professional duties.

Maddy summaryHB 4546 requires health insurers in Michigan providing prescription drug coverage to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects health insurance companies operating in Michigan that offer prescription drug benefits. The key provision mandates these insurers to follow specific cost and affordability review requirements already established under the Review Act. The bill is tied to companion legislation (HB 4544) and is currently pending in the House Committee on Government Operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4545 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects low-income residents enrolled in Michigan's medical assistance program by mandating adherence to state drug cost review requirements. The key provision adds Section 109o to Michigan's Social Welfare Act, making compliance with the drug cost review act a program requirement. The bill is conditional, stating it will not take effect unless companion legislation (HB 4544) is enacted into law. The bill was introduced on June 3, 2025, and referred to the Government Operations Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4533 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes involving assaults, battering, or endangering healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects healthcare workers who are victims of such attacks, as well as courts that determine sentences for offenders. It establishes new, separate sentencing guidelines under MCL 777.16d for these offenses, ensuring they are treated with appropriate severity distinct from general assault charges. This change creates a clear policy mechanism for judges to apply consistent, elevated penalties when healthcare workers are targeted.

Maddy summaryHB 4534 creates a diversion program allowing misdemeanor defendants with mental illness to receive outpatient treatment instead of criminal prosecution for certain offenses, including crimes against health professionals (MCL 750.81d). It requires a court assessment by a qualified health professional to determine eligibility, after which the defendant may be diverted into up to 90 days of outpatient treatment for standard misdemeanors or 180 days for "serious misdemeanors." Charges remain pending but must be dismissed 90 or 180 days after the treatment order, unless the defendant fails to comply with the treatment plan, which triggers civil proceedings under existing mental health code sections. The program directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor charges who meet clinical criteria for mental health treatment diversion.

Maddy summaryHB 4542 would allow owners or handlers of service animals to sue for damages if the animal is injured or killed due to another person's actions - whether intentional, reckless, or negligent. It specifies recoverable costs, including the animal's value, veterinary care, retraining expenses, replacement costs, and lost earnings. The bill does not limit other legal remedies available to service animal owners. Currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its introduction on June 3, 2025, this bill has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 4544 creates Michigan's Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Stakeholder Council to review and set price limits for prescription drugs. The Board will establish upper payment limits for brand-name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs, requiring manufacturers to justify price increases above the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects drug manufacturers, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and patients by limiting how much they can charge for covered medications. The law aims to improve drug affordability through state oversight, with the Board required to conduct annual reviews and set rules for pricing.