Rep. Erin Byrnes

Maddy summaryHB 5570 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to include specific rules for cases involving the creation or distribution of deepfake sexual images. The bill modifies an existing section of the state's criminal procedure code to ensure that judges and prosecutors have clear standards when determining penalties for these offenses. By adding these provisions to the official sentencing framework, the legislation aims to provide consistency in how courts handle new types of digital sexual exploitation. This change directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants involved in cases related to non-consensual deepfake imagery.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when city officials in Michigan can start their terms after being elected. It requires that all city officers elected after December 31, 2024, must wait until noon on December 1 of the following year to begin their service, even if local city rules previously allowed them to start earlier. The law also states that anyone elected to fill a vacant position cannot take their oath of office until election results are officially certified by the relevant board. These rules apply to all cities in the state and override any existing local charters that set different start dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals from strategic lawsuits aimed at discouraging them from participating in public discourse or exercising constitutional rights. It allows people who are sued over their speech, press, assembly, or petitioning activities to file a special motion that immediately pauses most court proceedings, including discovery, to determine if the lawsuit is valid. If the court finds the suit lacks merit, it will be dismissed quickly, and the plaintiff may face penalties for filing the frivolous case. However, the law excludes lawsuits brought by government entities regarding public safety threats and does not apply to claims involving employment discrimination, whistleblower protections, or other specific civil rights violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the terms of office and election procedures for elected officials in Michigan villages. It changes the standard term for village presidents, clerks, and treasurers to two years, starting on December 1 after the election, while allowing village trustees to serve either four-year terms or two-year terms depending on local ordinances. The legislation also updates the rules for filling vacancies, requiring special elections if a petition signed by 10% of voters is filed, and clarifies how to conduct elections if all village officers leave the community. Additionally, the bill adjusts the start date for council terms to December 1 and specifies who presides over council meetings when the president is absent.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the composition of Michigan's Board of Psychology to include more licensed professionals by replacing public members with psychologists who hold limited licenses. It establishes a new limited license category for individuals with a master's degree in psychology, allowing them to practice under specific supervision and advertising restrictions. To qualify for this limited license, applicants must have a master's degree from an accredited program and complete one year of supervised postgraduate experience in a healthcare setting. The legislation also updates the board's membership requirements to ensure that at least five of its voting members hold a doctoral degree in psychology.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Home Rule Village Act to standardize when village officials begin their terms. It requires that all village officers elected after December 31, 2024, take office at noon on December 1 of the following year, even if their local charters previously allowed for earlier start dates. Additionally, the law mandates that anyone elected to fill a vacancy must wait until election results are officially certified before taking the oath of office. These changes apply to all villages in the state and override any conflicting rules found in individual village charters.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the start dates for township officer terms in Michigan, specifying that terms beginning after December 31, 2024, will start on December 1 following the election rather than November 20. It also clarifies that all township officers elected before January 1, 2025, will have their terms begin at noon on November 20 of the next election cycle. The legislation further refines procedures for filling vacancies, allowing township boards to appoint replacements for resignations or unqualified elected officials, while establishing specific timelines and rules for when special elections must be held if appointments are not made. Additionally, it outlines how temporary appointments can be made by county election commissioners to ensure a quorum remains when multiple seats on a township board become vacant simultaneously.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the duties of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission to include providing legal representation for youth in juvenile court cases, in addition to its existing role for adults. By amending the state's indigent defense act, the legislation ensures that young people facing delinquency charges receive effective legal counsel starting from their initial court appearance. The commission will be responsible for setting minimum standards for how local courts deliver these services to both adults and youth, while also managing funding adjustments based on economic indicators. Ultimately, the bill aims to standardize the quality of legal defense available to financially unable defendants across the state's juvenile justice system.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a state public utility in Michigan that would take over all electric and natural gas generation, distribution, and transmission facilities currently owned by private investor-owned utilities. The amendment establishes a new State Public Utility Board with the power to purchase these assets using bonds, set all utility rates, and manage the system without needing local government consent for infrastructure placement. Within 18 months of taking effect, the board must implement a plan to lower rates for low-income residential customers, build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and upgrade the distribution network for renewable energy. Additionally, the bill requires all existing private utilities to divest their systems to the state and grants the new state utility the right to use public rights-of-way without obtaining local franchises.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify the legal definition of lead abatement and specify which activities are exempt from regulatory requirements. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and nonprofit organizations by distinguishing between permanent lead hazard elimination and incidental paint removal during general repairs. The legislation explicitly exempts owner-occupied homes and small multifamily buildings from certain rules, while creating a specific exception for unpaid volunteer projects led by qualified nonprofit groups. Additionally, the bill repeals an outdated section of the law to ensure the regulations remain current and consistent with federal standards.