Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryHB 5047 requires utility providers (including municipal, cooperative, and private electric/gas companies) to automatically enroll eligible customers in winter protection programs. Specifically, it mandates automatic enrollment of senior citizens (65+ or 62+ as of October 2023) starting November 1, 2025, and households with children under 16 starting September 1, 2025. Providers must identify eligible customers using methods like phone calls, mail, or bill inserts, and provide detailed program information via bill inserts 2 months before enrollment. Annual reports on enrollment numbers must be submitted to providers’ governing bodies by April 28 each year, beginning in 2026. The bill amends Michigan’s public utilities code (MCL 460.9o, 460.10t, and adds 460.9x) to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5015 requires youth under a Michigan youth agency's care (public wards) who have been found responsible for specific crimes - including prostitution-related offenses (like MCL 750.451, 750.454, or 750.462) - to provide DNA samples and pay a $60 fee. The youth agency must collect these samples without the youth's consent or a court order, and the DNA profiles can only be used for law enforcement, court proceedings, or anonymized research. The fee covers costs for DNA profiling under Michigan's existing system, and youth already having a DNA sample from law enforcement is exempt. This bill directly affects minors in youth rehabilitation programs convicted of listed crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 5009 expands Michigan's expungement law to allow individuals convicted of offenses under MCL 750.448-450 (related to human trafficking crimes) to have those convictions set aside if they committed the offense as a direct result of being a human trafficking victim. This applies to people who were trafficked victims at the time of the offense, while still requiring applicants to meet the existing limits under the law (e.g., no more than 3 total felony convictions). The bill amends MCL 780.621 to add this exception, ensuring trafficking victims can seek relief without exceeding standard eligibility thresholds. It directly affects survivors of human trafficking who have convictions for specific offenses tied to their victimization.

Maddy summaryHB 5024 amends Michigan's Child Protection Law to update the definition of "confirmed sexual exploitation" to explicitly include cases where a child is forced into prostitution or commercial sexual activity. This change directly affects child welfare agencies, courts, and legal advocates who investigate and respond to child abuse cases. The bill refines existing terminology to ensure consistent identification of exploitation incidents involving minors in commercial sex, aligning with broader child protection standards. It does not create new penalties but clarifies how such cases are documented and addressed within the state's child welfare system.

Maddy summaryHB 5025 amends Michigan's Human Trafficking Notification Act to expand where human trafficking notices must be posted. It requires adult entertainment establishments and property owners with court-ordered public nuisance findings related to prostitution, commercial sexual activity, or trafficking to display these notices. The bill also clarifies that public airports must post notices, building on existing requirements for rest stops, transit stations, and other locations. These changes take effect 90 days after enactment, directing the Department of Transportation to set posting standards. The bill does not alter prostitution laws but modifies notification obligations for specific venues and properties.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to update legal references related to prostitution offenses. It replaces terms like "prostitute" with more neutral language in sentencing calculations under MCL 777.16w. This change affects judges and courts when determining penalties for individuals convicted of prostitution-related crimes. The bill modifies how these offenses are described in legal guidelines but does not alter the actual penalties for the crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 modifies Michigan's public health code to require courts to order confidential STI and HIV testing for individuals arrested or convicted of prostitution, commercial sexual activity, or related offenses (such as MCL 750.448-455). The bill mandates that courts direct testing for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and HIV, with results reported to defendants and health departments. Courts must also order voluntary counseling about prevention, treatment, and protective measures for these conditions. This applies to all cases involving specified sex-related offenses under Michigan law, with testing conducted by licensed health providers.

Maddy summaryHB 4971 amends Michigan's Use Tax Act to clarify that promotional merchandise (including items like baby diapers) transferred to out-of-state customers via redemption offers qualifies for resale exemptions. It specifically updates Section 4(c)(i) to include promotional merchandise shipped outside Michigan as exempt from use tax, directly affecting retailers and businesses selling such items to out-of-state customers. The key mechanism expands existing resale exemptions to cover promotional goods sent to customers in other states, aligning with how businesses handle cross-state promotions. This change does not create new exemptions but clarifies existing rules for promotional sales. (Note: The bill title mentions "baby diapers," but the actual amendment applies broadly to all promotional merchandise, not specifically diapers.)

Maddy summaryHB 4205 amends Section 1111 of Michigan's Liquor Control Code (MCL 289.1111) regarding the definition of "qualified premises" for liquor licenses. The bill aims to update eligibility criteria for locations seeking liquor licenses, which would directly affect businesses (like restaurants or retail stores) applying for or renewing such permits. The specific changes to the "qualified premises" definition are not detailed in the provided context, as the bill only references the amended statute. Without further description of the proposed definition changes, a complete policy summary cannot be provided. This is a substantive bill, not procedural, but the core mechanism remains unspecified in the available information.

Maddy summaryHB 4204 would amend Michigan law to allow breweries to permit dogs inside their establishments at the brewery's discretion, provided certain conditions are met. The bill directly affects breweries and their patrons by changing existing liquor license rules (MCL 289.6101) regarding animal access. Key provisions require breweries to set their own policies for dog entry while complying with unspecified conditions outlined in the bill. This is a procedural change to licensing rules, not a broad policy shift, and does not alter other animal or public access regulations.