Rep. Laurie Pohutsky

Maddy summaryHB 4555, the Water Affordability Act, creates a program to help low-income Michigan households afford water and sewer bills by adjusting rates based on household income. It defines "qualified customers" as those with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or recipients of specific public assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or energy assistance. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will administer the program, processing applications within 30 days to determine eligibility and set water bills at a rate not exceeding a specified percentage of household income. The bill also provides additional protections for "protected customers," including seniors, children, and individuals with medical conditions requiring continuous water service.

Maddy summaryHB 4531 requires all mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect (such as teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers) to complete department-developed training every three years on recognizing abuse/neglect and fulfilling reporting duties. This amendment to Michigan’s Child Protection Law updates Section 9 of the 1975 law, replacing the prior training requirement with a specific 3-year cycle. The bill directly affects professionals legally obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect. It focuses on ensuring consistent, updated knowledge about detection and reporting procedures through mandatory, recurring training.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 119) designates June 3, 2025, as "Brain Cancer Awareness Day" in Michigan. It symbolically recognizes the impact of brain cancer - highlighting its high mortality rate, significant costs, and effects on children and young adults - while honoring patients, families, and Michigan's research leadership in brain tumor treatment. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement to raise awareness and acknowledge ongoing efforts. It was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4519 designates the stonefly (Pteronarcys sp.) as the official insect of the state of Michigan. This bill creates a new act solely for this symbolic purpose.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 115 is a resolution from the Michigan House of Representatives that urges the President and the United States Congress to fully fund Medicaid. It also calls on federal officials to reject any proposals that would reduce access to care or shift costs onto states, healthcare providers, and vulnerable individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 4494 revises the Michigan penal code concerning redemption game machines. The bill modifies the conditions under which these games are exempt from general gaming prohibitions, allowing for games determined by a combination of skill and chance. It significantly increases the maximum prize value for redemption games, permitting awards up to $500, which can include stored value cards redeemable at retailers. The legislation also introduces new regulations, such as limiting establishments to eight machines that award stored value cards and establishing penalties for tampering with certified game software. These changes primarily affect businesses that offer redemption games and their players.

Maddy summaryHB 4495 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure, specifically section 16o of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16o). The bill aims to revise the penal code to allow for redemption games. This change directly affects businesses that operate redemption games and individuals who participate in them by clarifying their legal status under criminal law.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4498 proposes to amend Michigan's Public Health Code to allow the Department of Health or local government agencies to authorize and establish "needle and hypodermic syringe access programs." These programs aim to reduce the spread of communicable diseases by providing sterile needles and syringes, as well as other related items. Individuals participating in these authorized programs would be exempt from criminal penalties for possessing or distributing needles, syringes, drug paraphernalia, trace amounts of controlled substances in used equipment, or drug testing equipment. The bill amends sections 7401 and 7403 of the Public Health Code to incorporate these new exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 4497 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to modify the legal definition of "drug paraphernalia." The bill establishes that "drug paraphernalia" does not include testing products used to determine if a controlled substance contains harmful chemicals, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds that could cause physical harm or death. This specifically includes items like fentanyl testing strips. This change affects individuals who possess or use such testing products, clarifying their legal status under the law.

Maddy summaryHB 4496 amends Michigan's insurance code to require health insurance policies to cover a 12-month supply of prescription contraceptives. It mandates that insurers provide coverage for these contraceptives, which are on the health plan's formulary, to be dispensed all at once unless otherwise requested or instructed by a prescriber. The bill also requires coverage for necessary outpatient services related to prescribing or dispensing contraceptives, if other prescription drugs are covered by the policy. While standard cost-sharing like copayments and deductibles can apply, insurers are prohibited from imposing utilization controls that limit the supply to less than 12 months. This measure applies to health insurance policies beginning December 31, 2025.