Rep. Laurie Pohutsky

Maddy summaryHB 5255, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan, directly affecting patients with medical debt and large healthcare providers (with $20 million+ annual revenue) or medical debt buyers. It prohibits charging interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3% on medical debt. The bill bans aggressive collection tactics like wage garnishment for patients qualifying for financial assistance under a healthcare facility's policy, and requires medical debt buyers to follow strict rules, including not using prohibited collection actions and returning debt if a patient qualifies for financial aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of local governments to regulate land development on property owned by the University of Michigan. Specifically, it updates state law to allow municipalities to apply zoning rules to university land acquired on or after January 1, 2027. The legislation enables local units of government to control the location, size, and use of university buildings and structures to align with community needs for housing, industry, and public services. By extending existing zoning powers to future university acquisitions, the bill ensures that campus expansion can be managed alongside local planning goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules governing the state university system to require regents to follow local zoning laws when purchasing land acquired on or after January 1, 2027. It also maintains a specific provision ensuring that at least one professor of homeopathy remains in the department of medicine. The legislation does not take effect until a separate constitutional amendment is approved, linking its implementation to a broader change in the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a change to the state constitution to require the University of Michigan to follow local zoning laws and ordinances for any land it acquires on or after January 1, 2027. Currently, the university operates with significant autonomy over its property, but this amendment would shift that authority to local governments for future land purchases. The rule applies specifically to the Regents of the University of Michigan and does not affect other state universities like Michigan State or Wayne State. If passed by voters, the change would ensure that new university campuses align with the planning rules of the cities or counties where they are built.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the fees that healthcare providers and medical records companies can charge patients for accessing their medical records in Michigan. It raises the initial request fee from $20 to $31.54 and adjusts per-page copying costs based on the number of pages, with higher rates for pages beyond 20. The law also requires annual fee adjustments starting in 2028 based on the Detroit consumer price index and maintains fee waivers for medically indigent individuals who receive one free set of copies per provider.

Maddy summaryHB 5120 eliminates fees for serving documents in personal protection order (PPO) cases. It amends Michigan's civil procedure law to prohibit charging fees for serving process under the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act or for any order issued in a PPO case, including petitions, orders, and related documents. This directly affects PPO petitioners (who no longer pay service fees) and process servers (who cannot charge for these specific services). The bill also clarifies that law enforcement may charge a $50 flat fee from a dedicated fund for multiple PPO-related documents served at once, but not per document. The change aims to remove financial barriers for individuals seeking protection orders.

Maddy summaryHB 5121 eliminates the cost for serving personal protection orders (PPOs) in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking PPOs to protect against harassment, stalking, or sexual assault by removing the requirement that petitioners pay for service of the order on the respondent. The bill amends Michigan’s court procedures to eliminate this fee, making it easier for petitioners - especially those with limited resources - to obtain and enforce PPOs without upfront costs. This change applies to all PPOs filed under the specified sections of Michigan law, streamlining the process for victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal cause of action in Michigan allowing individuals to sue anyone who deprives them of rights protected by the U.S. Constitution while acting under the authority of the law. It establishes that victims of such civil rights violations can seek redress in court, while also defining specific rules for when judges can be held personally liable and limiting the types of relief available against them. The legislation sets a two-year time limit for filing these lawsuits and permits courts to award reasonable attorney fees to successful plaintiffs, though it preserves existing defenses like sovereign immunity and qualified immunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of American Freedmen Affairs within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to support descendants of individuals emancipated from slavery. The office would be led by a five-year director appointed by the governor and tasked with researching disparities, advising state leaders on policies, and improving access to resources for this community. Key duties include developing economic opportunities, assisting with genealogy and historical research, and submitting annual reports on the social and economic conditions of American Freedmen in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale and use of herbicides containing paraquat dichloride in Michigan, with sales banned starting December 1, 2027, and use banned by December 1, 2028. To help farmers transition away from these products, the legislation creates a state fund that will offer grants to cover the costs of switching to alternative herbicides and equipment. The bill also establishes a buy-back program to safely dispose of existing paraquat-containing products and sets a civil fine of up to $10,000 for violations of the new restrictions.