Rep. Stephanie Young

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan judges and other court staff involved in child custody cases to undergo specific training on recognizing and responding to domestic violence and child abuse. The training must include at least 20 initial hours and 15 additional hours every five years, covering topics such as various forms of abuse, trauma, implicit bias, and the dynamics of coercive control. A key provision mandates that all training content be based on evidence-based research and explicitly defines certain terms like "DARVO" to ensure clarity. Ultimately, the legislation aims to improve custody decisions by prioritizing the safety and well-being of children through better-informed court personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Safe Youth Sports Act to create mandatory safety and training standards for youth sports programs in Michigan. It requires organizing entities, such as local leagues and clubs, to implement basic measures like emergency plans, background checks for adults, and concussion training for coaches and participants. The law also offers an optional advanced tier with additional requirements, including designated safety managers, injury prevention plans, and specialized training on inclusivity and mental health. To support these changes, the state will administer a grant program to help organizations, particularly those serving low-income families, meet the necessary standards. An independent institute will oversee the approval of these standards and maintain a public list of certified organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 6012 prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from denying, canceling, or raising premiums on residential property liability policies based solely on the breed or mix of dogs owned by the policyholder. The bill also bans insurers from asking about or investigating specific dog breeds when underwriting these policies. While the law restricts breed-based decisions, it allows insurers to continue adjusting rates or coverage based on other standard underwriting factors unrelated to dog breeds. This change applies to all residential property liability insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan residents to register as anatomical donors by checking a box on their state income tax return instead of visiting the Secretary of State's office in person. It requires the Department of Treasury to send this information to the Secretary of State, who will then add eligible individuals to the official donor registry. The law mandates that the registry be accessible 24/7 to organ procurement organizations at no cost, while ensuring that personal data remains private and is only shared with medical teams when a potential donor is near death.

Maddy summaryHB 5583 amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to give the Secretary of State the authority to apply to the Ingham County circuit court for injunctive relief when a complaint alleges a violation of campaign finance rules. The bill establishes a formal process for citizens to file complaints against individuals or committees, requiring the Secretary of State to notify the accused party and allow for written responses and rebuttals before any legal action is taken. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the standards for waiving late filing fees due to specific hardships and sets strict timelines for the Secretary of State to issue rulings on requests for legal interpretations. This measure is designed to provide a structured mechanism for enforcing campaign finance laws while ensuring due process for those accused of violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Secure Retirement Savings Program to help private-sector employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions. It creates a new oversight board and a separate trust fund to manage individual retirement accounts for enrolled workers, ensuring the money remains distinct from state funds. Employers that do not currently offer qualified retirement plans are required to participate by allowing employees to make automatic contributions from their paychecks. The legislation also sets up a separate administrative fund to cover the program's operational costs and defines the specific duties of the state officials who will run the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Messiah's Law, creates a new felony charge for anyone who intentionally fires a gun at a motor vehicle they know or should know is occupied. Under the proposed law, the standard penalty for this act is up to 10 years in prison or a fine of $10,000, or both. If the vehicle contains a minor, the penalties increase significantly to a maximum of 20 years in prison or a fine of $20,000, or both. The legislation applies to all individuals regardless of their relationship to the vehicle or its occupants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new law requiring employers in Michigan to provide severance pay to eligible employees when they close a facility, relocate operations at least 100 miles away, or conduct a mass layoff of 20 or more workers. To qualify for this pay, an employee must have worked at the location for at least one year and not have been fired for cause, while the facility itself must have employed 20 or more people and paid out $2 million or more in the previous year. The severance amount is calculated as one week's pay for each year of employment, and employers must also notify the state labor department at least 90 days before these events occur. If an employer fails to make these payments, they face civil fines and are liable for the unpaid amount plus an additional four weeks' pay, which employees can recover through court action.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's governmental immunity laws to clarify when public employees and agencies are protected from lawsuits for injuries or property damage. It maintains broad immunity for officials acting within their authority unless their conduct involves gross negligence, while explicitly preserving existing protections for judges, legislators, and high-level executives. The legislation also defines specific exceptions, such as removing immunity for medical care provided in certain hospitals and ensuring liability remains for underground facility damage. Additionally, it establishes that public universities and school districts cannot claim immunity for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees or agents.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state department of education, working with the department of labor and economic opportunity, to develop educational materials on digital literacy and cybersafety. These resources, which include model curricula and lesson plans, must be made available for free on the department of labor and economic opportunity's website. The primary goal is to provide accessible tools to help individuals improve their online safety and digital skills without cost.