Rep. Alabas Farhat

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's public health code to explicitly allow licensed pharmacists to prescribe and dispense certain contraceptives. The law defines key terms such as "emergency contraceptive" and "hormonal contraceptive patch" to clarify which medications are covered under this new authority. By adding a new section to the statute, the legislation formalizes the pharmacist's role in providing these reproductive health services without requiring a separate referral from a physician.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan law requires all employers with at least one full-time employee to display a specific poster in a visible area of their workplace. The poster must provide contact information and details about various services available to veterans, including mental health support, job training, tax benefits, and resources from both state and federal agencies. The state departments of labor and military and veterans affairs will create and distribute this poster for free to help businesses comply with the new requirement. The rule takes effect on April 2, 2025, aiming to ensure veterans are aware of the assistance they can access through their employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies operating in Michigan to cover mental health screenings for new mothers during the postpartum period. The law directly affects health insurers and the women who receive their coverage, ensuring these specific screenings are included in their policies. It achieves this by amending the state's insurance code to mandate compliance with existing public health guidelines regarding postpartum care. The measure becomes effective on April 2, 2025, provided a related companion bill is also enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-level Perinatal Quality Collaborative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Michigan. The program will create ten regional groups, each led by a designated agency, to bring together healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to review data and develop local action plans. These regional teams will focus on advancing equity, supporting families affected by substance use, and ensuring respectful care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. The state department will provide resources to these collaboratives, subject to available funding, to help implement proven strategies for better birth outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for Michigan early stage venture investment corporations, which are organizations that invest money to help small businesses grow. It requires these corporations to include specific language in their official documents stating they must return profits to the state and outlines exactly how much money must be sent to state funds based on when the corporation ends or when its special investment fund expires. Specifically, the law mandates that if these corporations have earned returns by June 30, 2024, they must send $60 million to a state jobs trust fund, while any remaining profits go to the general state fund. For years after 2024, all earned returns must be sent to the general fund, and upon the corporation's final dissolution, the first $140 million of remaining assets must go to the general fund before any leftover money is directed to the jobs trust. The bill also includes a condition that it will only become active if two other related bills are passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund in Michigan to manage money from specific sources, including sales tax revenues and donations. The fund will distribute money to cities, villages, and townships to support public safety initiatives, with a portion of the funds going to a grant program for community violence intervention and another part to a crime victim's rights fund. A key provision ties future funding to crime reduction goals, where local governments that fail to meet specific violent crime decrease targets will see their distributions reduced. The state treasurer is responsible for managing the fund and ensuring that unspent money at the end of each fiscal year remains available for future distribution rather than being returned to the general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to advise the state on research, diagnosis, and treatment for rare diseases. The council will be composed of a diverse group of members, including medical professionals, patient advocates, industry representatives, and individuals with rare diseases, who will serve four-year terms. Once established, the council is authorized to hold public hearings, consult with experts, and apply for grants to develop recommendations for improving care and support for those affected by conditions that impact fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs in Michigan to advise state leaders on issues affecting individuals with ancestral ties to the Middle East. The commission will consist of 15 members appointed by the governor for three-year terms, who will meet regularly to develop policies and recommendations. Its duties include acting as a reporting agency for harassment incidents, promoting cultural awareness, ensuring equal access to state services, and coordinating with other government bodies to address the unique needs of these communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts hospitals in Michigan from requiring registered professional nurses to work more than their regularly scheduled hours, except during declared state emergencies, mass casualty incidents, or when a nurse voluntarily accepts extra shifts. It also prohibits hospitals from disciplining or discriminating against nurses who refuse mandatory overtime and mandates that hospitals provide eight consecutive hours of off-duty time after any 12-hour shift. To enforce these rules, the legislation requires hospitals to post notices informing staff of their rights and outlines specific administrative fines for violations. Additionally, the law includes a provision that delays its application in facilities with existing collective bargaining agreements that currently prevent compliance with the new overtime limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify the legal definition of lead abatement and specify which activities are exempt from regulatory requirements. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and nonprofit organizations by distinguishing between permanent lead hazard elimination and incidental paint removal during general repairs. The legislation explicitly exempts owner-occupied homes and small multifamily buildings from certain rules, while creating a specific exception for unpaid volunteer projects led by qualified nonprofit groups. Additionally, the bill repeals an outdated section of the law to ensure the regulations remain current and consistent with federal standards.