Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's human trafficking laws to allow courts to accept expert testimony from witnesses with specialized knowledge in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services. These experts can explain how trafficking victims often behave differently than expected and help juries understand the complex dynamics of trafficking cases. While the law already permits victim testimony without corroboration, this change specifically enables qualified experts to offer opinions on victim responses and behaviors during trials. However, the bill explicitly prohibits these experts from giving opinions on the credibility of other witnesses, including the victim, to maintain a clear distinction between behavioral analysis and character judgment. Both the prosecution and defense are permitted to call such experts to testify in human trafficking prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Insurance Provider Assessment Act to clarify how revenue collected from insurance companies is managed and spent. It establishes rules for depositing funds into a state treasury account, directing the state treasurer to invest the money and credit interest earnings back to the fund. The legislation specifies that these funds can only be used for designated purposes, such as paying Medicaid managed care rates, offsetting revenue losses from previous health insurance assessments, covering administrative costs, and funding a health data utility with amounts that increase annually and adjust for inflation. Additionally, the bill ensures that any leftover money remains in the fund rather than being returned to the general state treasury. The changes will not take effect unless a companion bill, House Bill No. 5283, is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Health Information Technology Commission to select a nonprofit organization to operate a state-wide health data utility by issuing a request for proposals no later than March 1, 2025. The designated entity will be responsible for combining and sharing clinical data from various health care providers to improve care coordination, reduce medical errors, and lower costs. The law requires the selected organization to ensure that only trusted data-sharing organizations can access the system while strictly protecting patient privacy and complying with federal and state laws. Additionally, the commission must develop a strategic plan outlining standards and timelines for implementing this interoperable system to benefit hospitals, physicians, and other health care entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's penal code by changing the age threshold for child enticement related to prostitution from under 16 to under 18. It directly affects individuals accused of taking or enticing minors for sexual activities by increasing the age of protection under the law. The bill also modifies the definition of racketeering to include specific offenses such as child sexually abusive activity and internet crimes involving minors. Additionally, it removes a repealed section from the penal code to ensure the statutes remain current.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of juvenile offenders in Michigan to have their criminal records expunged, specifically adding provisions for individuals who were victims of human trafficking. It allows eligible juveniles to apply to have their adjudications set aside after a one-year waiting period, provided they meet specific criteria regarding the number and type of offenses committed. The process requires applicants to submit detailed information, undergo fingerprint checks, and notify relevant legal authorities, while also granting victims of assaultive crimes the right to be notified and participate in the hearing. Ultimately, the court retains the discretion to approve or deny these applications based on whether setting aside the record is consistent with public welfare, except in cases where mandatory expunction applies under the new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Human Trafficking Notification Act to require specific locations to display notices about human trafficking. It mandates that the Department of Transportation, local governments operating rest stops or transit stations, and certain property owners post these notices on their premises. The law specifically targets adult entertainment establishments, public airports, and properties previously ruled by a court to be public nuisances due to prostitution or human trafficking activities. The bill also includes a provision stating it will not take effect unless another related bill is passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's penal code to strengthen protections and procedures for minors involved in human trafficking cases. It establishes a legal presumption that children under 18 are coerced into sex or labor trafficking offenses, shifting the burden to the prosecution to prove otherwise if they wish to avoid this classification. The legislation also mandates that law enforcement immediately report suspected trafficking involving minors to the Department of Health and Human Services, which must then begin an investigation within 24 hours. Additionally, the bill clarifies how prior convictions affect sentencing severity and outlines specific evidence types courts can use to verify a defendant's criminal history. These changes directly impact law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and the Department of Health and Human Services in handling cases involving child victims of trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for people charged with crimes if they can prove they committed those acts because they were victims of human trafficking. Under the new rule, a defendant must show by a "preponderance of the evidence" that their criminal behavior was a direct result of being trafficked. This provision applies to both felony and misdemeanor charges and allows courts to consider the trafficking victim status as a reason for the offense. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 5849 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update the legal definitions and references regarding prostitution within the state's nuisance laws. The bill modifies specific sections of the law to ensure consistency with current terminology and statutes concerning commercial sexual activity and related offenses. It classifies buildings, vehicles, and other locations used for prostitution as nuisances and holds owners or operators accountable for maintaining such spaces. This change is a technical update to existing legal frameworks rather than a new criminal prohibition, and it requires the passage of a companion bill to become effective.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Education to create and distribute informational notices about sextortion to school districts, academies, and their staff, students in grades 6 through 12, and parents. The notices must explain the legal definition of sextortion, include the relevant state law, and provide contact details for the state police office of school safety. Additionally, school boards are mandated to develop educational policies on the topic and hold at least one annual meeting to share free resources on sextortion from federal and national organizations. The legislation defines sextortion as a form of child sexual exploitation where an adult threatens to share a minor's nude or sexual image unless they provide more content, engage in sexual activity, or pay money.