Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's school code to require that sex education in public schools be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and objective. It mandates that teachers instructing on these topics receive specific training and that school boards approve curricula through a process involving public hearings. The legislation also requires school districts to establish advisory boards with significant parent representation to oversee sex education programs. Additionally, it clarifies that such classes must be elective, allow parents to review course materials in advance, and provide an option for students to be excused without penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires soil products sold in Michigan to include at least 5% compost made from specific compostable materials starting in 2027. It directly affects businesses selling bulk soil, prepackaged soil, and potting soil by mandating a minimum compost content. Additionally, the law requires sellers to clearly label these products or their receipts with the exact percentage of compost included. The regulation aims to improve soil health and conservation while ensuring consumers are informed about the composition of the soil they purchase.

Maddy summaryHB 6064 modifies how Michigan's Renew Michigan Fund is managed and spent to support environmental and recycling initiatives. The bill designates the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy as the administrator and ensures that any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year stays in the fund rather than moving to the general fund. It establishes specific spending percentages for environmental cleanup, waste management, and recycling, with the allocation for cleanup and redevelopment gradually increasing from 65% to 55% starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new category for host community grants to cities and townships near landfills and coal ash impoundments, effective from 2025-2026. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the state legislature detailing the fund's revenue, expenditures, and balance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 6070 proposes to authorize Michigan to issue up to $2 billion in general obligation bonds to fund environmental and natural resources protection programs. These funds would be used to clean up contaminated sites, improve water quality, prevent pollution, address lead contamination, revitalize waterfronts, and remove contaminated sediments from waterways. The bill requires that the question of approving this debt be submitted to a statewide vote at the next general election, with bond issuance contingent on a majority "yes" vote from eligible voters. If approved, the state would pledge its full faith and credit to pay the bond principal and interest, with repayment coming from the state's general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May each year in Michigan as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The legislation aims to increase public and medical knowledge about Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological condition that currently has no cure. By officially recognizing this time period, the state hopes to encourage greater understanding of the disease's challenges and support ongoing research efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill creates the Hazardous Products Act to regulate specific chemicals found in cosmetic products sold within the state. It requires manufacturers to notify consumers about the presence of certain substances and prohibits the sale of cosmetics containing defined hazardous compounds such as asbestos, heavy metals, and various phthalates. The Department of Health and Human Services will establish and update a list of high-priority chemicals of concern every three years, setting safety limits based on scientific guidance. While the law defines numerous restricted substances, it explicitly excludes retailers and grocery wholesalers from the definition of manufacturers subject to these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for how fines are handled in certain state civil infraction cases related to environmental protection. Instead of directing these specific fines to public libraries, the legislation allows a portion of the revenue to be dedicated to a grant program assisting farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. The change applies only to fines resulting from violations of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, leaving other civil fine distributions unchanged. This measure requires the passage of two other related bills before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from covering any medical service if the patient's required copayment or coinsurance exceeds 50% of the total cost. It applies to new policies starting after the law is passed and to existing policies when they are next renewed or changed. If an insurer includes such a high-cost service in a plan, they would be violating this rule, and the state insurance director is authorized to investigate complaints about these violations. The measure aims to ensure that patients do not face excessive out-of-pocket costs for services included in their health insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist Michigan farmers whose land, crops, or water are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The program would provide financial support for medical testing and care, purchasing or selling farmland, cleaning up contamination, and replacing lost income or mortgage payments. To receive funding, farmers must submit detailed applications outlining their financial history and a plan for how they intend to use the grant money, such as transitioning to alternative revenue streams or ceasing operations. The funds for these grants would come from a newly created state fund, potentially financed by increases in state civil infraction penalties. The legislation requires the department to create specific rules to administer the program and defines key terms like "agricultural land" and "contamination" to guide eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5970 amends Michigan's Social Welfare Act to add pharmacogenomic testing as a covered medical service for eligible individuals. This provision allows the Department of Health and Human Services to cover such testing for treatment or medication management optimization when ordered by a prescriber and supported by medical evidence. The bill does not alter any other existing benefits, such as hospital, nursing home, or pharmaceutical services, which remain governed by current laws.