Rep. Noah Arbit

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 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in consumer contracts. It mandates that any provision allowing a service or subscription to continue without explicit consumer consent must be prominently displayed within the agreement itself. The law directly affects businesses offering recurring services and consumers who sign up for such products, ensuring they are fully informed about how their subscriptions will renew. By adding a new section to the statute, the bill aims to prevent hidden fees and unexpected charges by making these renewal conditions transparent and easy to understand.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue from the state recreation passport fee, which is a charge added to vehicle registration for residents who use state parks and forests. The primary change adjusts the percentage of remaining funds allocated to state parks based on how many people purchased the passport in the previous year. If fewer than 55% of eligible residents bought a passport, a larger share of the leftover money goes to capital improvements and marketing, whereas a higher participation rate directs more funds toward general park operations and maintenance. Additionally, the bill updates the fixed dollar amounts for specific accounts to automatically increase with inflation and clarifies how the state estimates potential revenue from vehicle owners who are currently exempt from the fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure to protect the religious rights of individuals wearing head coverings during arrest and booking. It requires law enforcement to accommodate requests from people with sincerely held religious beliefs by ensuring officers of the same sex are present when removing religious garb or taking photographs. The law mandates that booking photos be taken with the religious items on whenever possible, and if removal is necessary for identification, it must occur in a private setting with a same-sex officer present. Exceptions are made for safety reasons or when a same-sex officer is unavailable, and the bill also provides replacement religious clothing for those who are not immediately released.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a new funding system that pays certified community behavioral health clinics in advance for their expected costs. The law applies to clinics, nonprofit groups, and private organizations that provide mental health services and meet specific federal and state certification standards. To ensure fair treatment, the bill requires the department to establish rules that prevent retaliation against these providers and creates a process for resolving payment disputes through an independent adjudicator. Implementation of this payment system must be completed by October 1, 2027, but the bill will only take effect if a companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Michigan to sign and witness important legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney, using real-time video calls instead of meeting in person. To qualify, the video interaction must be recorded and kept for at least three years, and both the signer and witnesses must clearly see and hear each other while the document is being executed. The law also requires that every page of the document be numbered and legible during the call, with a copy sent to witnesses within 72 hours for them to sign and return. Additionally, the bill removes an expiration date that previously limited these electronic signing rules, ensuring they remain in effect indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal framework for needle and hypodermic syringe access programs in Michigan, allowing individuals to distribute sterile needles and provide related services to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. It grants the state department of health the authority to set rules for establishing these programs and clarifies that people participating in them are not breaking laws regarding the possession or distribution of needles, syringes, or trace amounts of drugs found within them. The legislation also specifies that involvement in these programs can be proven through third-party testimony or program sign-in sheets to protect participants from criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands property tax relief for Michigan homeowners who are seniors and living in poverty by establishing a new exemption category. To qualify, residents must own and occupy their home as a principal residence while meeting specific federal poverty guidelines or alternative local income standards. The legislation requires applicants to submit annual documentation, such as tax returns or affidavits, and allows local boards to grant either full or partial tax reductions based on these criteria. Additionally, the bill permits certain individuals with fixed incomes from public assistance to maintain their exemption status for up to three years without needing to reapply annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It specifically defines what counts as "new evidence" for compensation claims, including DNA results and expert testimony, while noting that a witness recantation alone is insufficient without additional supporting proof. The legislation also establishes new procedural requirements, such as mandating that prosecutors notify victims of assaultive crimes when a compensation claim is filed and setting strict timelines for legal responses. Additionally, it adjusts the standard of proof needed to win a case, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate their innocence by clear and convincing evidence rather than just a preponderance of the evidence.