Rep. Kelly Breen

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares September 15-October 15, 2025, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Michigan. It is a symbolic state recognition, not a policy change, affirming the observance of Hispanic and Latino American contributions to Michigan and the nation. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect specific groups; it simply aligns Michigan with the existing national observance established by federal law in 1988. The declaration enables state agencies and communities to organize events celebrating Hispanic heritage during that period.

Maddy summaryHB 5019 requires juveniles convicted of specific crimes - including prostitution-related offenses (like violating sections 451, 454, or 462 of the Michigan Penal Code) - to provide DNA samples and secretor status for state law enforcement databases. It directly affects juveniles found responsible for these offenses, mandating DNA collection by juvenile agencies without requiring consent or a court order. The bill imposes a $60 fee on affected juveniles to cover DNA profiling costs, with funds directed to the state police forensic division. This amendment expands existing DNA collection requirements under the Juvenile Facilities Act to include additional prostitution and commercial sexual activity violations.

Maddy summaryHB 5004 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify the requirements for workers who leave jobs due to medical reasons. To qualify for benefits, an employee must obtain a medical professional's statement confirming that continuing work would harm their health and must have made good-faith attempts to secure alternative work or a leave of absence with their employer. Without these steps, the employee is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause, disqualifying them from benefits. This change directly affects Michigan workers seeking unemployment benefits after a medical leave, ensuring eligibility aligns with documented medical necessity and employer cooperation efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 5017 amends Michigan's DNA Identification Profiling System Act to require permanent DNA retention for individuals arrested or convicted of specific prostitution-related misdemeanors, including window peeping for commercial sex, indecent exposure, and leasing property for prostitution. This expands the current law, which previously required DNA collection only for felony offenses or certain other misdemeanors, by adding these particular prostitution offenses to the list triggering mandatory DNA collection. The bill affects people charged with these specific misdemeanors who would not have previously required DNA retention under the law. It does not change DNA collection for felony offenses or other existing categories.

Maddy summaryHB 5011 would allow juveniles who were victims of human trafficking to have related criminal records sealed. It amends Michigan’s existing expungement law (MCL 712A.18e) to specifically include offenses committed while a juvenile was a trafficking victim, removing a barrier that previously prevented sealing such records. The bill applies to juveniles with up to one felony-level offense or three misdemeanor-level offenses directly tied to trafficking, as defined under current law. This change would enable victims to clear records that might otherwise hinder education, employment, or housing opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for individuals charged with crimes who were victims of human trafficking. It allows defendants to argue that their criminal act was a direct result of being trafficked, applying to both felony and misdemeanor charges under Michigan law. To use this defense, the defendant must prove it by a "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not). The bill amends Michigan's criminal procedure code to include this provision, directly affecting trafficking victims facing criminal charges for acts committed under coercion.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's unemployment benefits formula to increase payments for workers with dependents. It changes the weekly benefit rate calculation starting January 1, 2025, setting a new $12.66 per dependent amount (up to 5 dependents) with a $446 maximum weekly benefit - higher than the current $362 cap. The change directly affects unemployed Michigan residents who claim benefits and have dependents, as their weekly payments will increase based on these updated formulas. The bill does not alter eligibility rules or dependency definitions, only the monetary amounts used in the calculation.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law (MCL 421.62) to decrease the maximum percentage of wages that can be garnished for repayment of improperly collected benefits, from 50% to 20%. It directly affects unemployed workers who overreceived benefits, requiring them to repay the excess but limiting wage deductions. The bill also adds new hardship waiver criteria, allowing full repayment relief if a claimant’s household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or if overpayment resulted from agency errors. It maintains a 3-year deadline for the unemployment agency to seek repayment, except in cases of identity fraud or intentional fraud.

Maddy summaryHB 5000 increases Michigan's unemployment benefit payments for workers with dependents. It amends the calculation method to use 5.1% of the highest-earning quarter's wages (up from 4.1%) plus higher per-dependent amounts. For claims filed after January 1, 2025, the weekly rate rises to $12.66 per dependent (max $446); after 2026, it increases to $19.33 per dependent (max $530). This directly affects unemployed Michigan residents claiming benefits who have dependents, raising their weekly payments through 2028 and beyond.

Maddy summaryHB 5006 amends Michigan's unemployment insurance law to clarify how the state recovers benefits paid to individuals who weren't entitled to them. It sets a 3-year limit for the unemployment agency to seek repayment (except for identity fraud cases), limits deductions from future benefits or wages to 50% per payment, and establishes three specific situations where repayment can be waived: if the overpayment resulted from incorrect wage information provided by an employer, if the recipient's household income was at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, or if the overpayment was due to a clerical error by the agency. The bill also specifies that waivers apply from the date of the error or application, and requires refunds for any payments made after a waiver is granted. This directly affects individuals who received unemployment benefits they didn't qualify for, changing how the state enforces repayment and grants relief.