Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Food Law to update the definitions of "adulterated" food and clarify rules for specific food operations. It directly affects cottage food producers, bed and breakfasts, and agricultural use operations by refining what constitutes unsafe food and how these businesses are classified. The key changes include clarifying the definition of adulterated food regarding nonnutritive substances in confectionery and specifying that certain agricultural facilities are not considered food processors for property tax purposes. Additionally, the bill updates the legal definitions for "bed and breakfast" and "agricultural use operation" to ensure they meet consistent licensing and safety standards. These adjustments aim to provide clearer guidance for small-scale food businesses while maintaining public health protections.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention program aimed at protecting children and reducing exposure to lead-based paint. Key provisions require the department to develop educational materials for healthcare providers, schools, and parents, while also establishing a system to track blood lead test results and automatically notify local health officials when a child under three is found to have elevated levels. Upon receiving such a notification, the department must initiate contact with the child's doctor or local health department and ensure the child is referred to the Early On program for support. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing the number of children screened and diagnosed with high lead levels, as well as a financial accounting of the program's expenditures.
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 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific penalty ranges for drivers who fail to avoid causing the death of a blind person or their service animal. By amending existing criminal procedure laws, it sets the maximum prison sentence for this specific offense at 15 years and the maximum for the death of the service animal at 5 years. The legislation also adjusts sentencing limits for several other crimes, including nitrous oxide distribution and public disorder offenses, to ensure consistent judicial application. However, the bill will not take effect unless a companion bill, HB 5405, is also passed into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to take necessary precautions around blind pedestrians using travel aids like canes, walkers, or guide dogs. It directly affects vehicle operators and blind individuals by clarifying that a blind person's failure to use these aids cannot be used as evidence of negligence in injury or death cases. The legislation establishes specific misdemeanor and felony charges with higher fines and potential jail time for violations that result in injury or the death of a blind person or their service animal. Additionally, it mandates that peace officers investigate reported violations and requires prosecutors to inform the blind pedestrian of their decision to charge, along with the reasons for that decision.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases disposal fees for nonhazardous solid waste and coal ash in Michigan landfills, with higher rates for general waste and lower rates for specific industrial byproducts. Landfill owners and operators must collect these new surcharges from waste generators and pay them quarterly to the state, while captive facilities face fixed annual fees based on their waste volume. The collected funds are distributed among several state accounts, including a new host communities grant fund that provides direct financial support to the cities and townships where these landfills are located. Additionally, the bill establishes a mechanism to adjust these fees every five years based on inflation to maintain their real value over time.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan election law to expand the list of documents that qualify as valid identification for voting and voter registration. It directly affects voters and election officials by clarifying which specific IDs, such as driver's licenses, passports, military cards, and student IDs, are acceptable. The legislation explicitly excludes mobile versions of certain licenses and state ID cards from this list while also defining other key terms like "absent voter" and "educational institution." The bill does not take effect until three other related Senate bills are also passed into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's environmental laws to strictly prohibit the discharge of low-activity radioactive waste into state waters and to require permits for all oceangoing vessels operating in the state. It mandates that the state environmental department review permit applications within specific timeframes and grants the department authority to modify, suspend, or revoke permits if violations occur. Additionally, the legislation sets strict requirements for vessels to manage ballast water using approved systems to prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species, ensuring compliance with both federal standards and any stricter Great Lakes state agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Michigan to cover a 12-month supply of prescription birth control at once, provided the medication is on the plan's list of covered drugs. The law mandates that insurers also cover related medical services, such as doctor visits and exams, needed to prescribe and dispense these contraceptives. While the coverage must be available regardless of when the patient first started the plan, standard cost-sharing rules like copayments and deductibles still apply, and the requirement does not extend to the final month of a plan year. The policy takes effect on December 31, 2025, affecting all health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state or covering Michigan residents.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to clarify lane usage rules for drivers on roadways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction. It requires vehicles to stay in the extreme right-hand lane unless passing, turning left, avoiding streetcars, or responding to construction. The law specifically restricts heavy trucks and trailers from using any lane other than the rightmost one on freeways with three or more lanes, except when making turns or avoiding hazards. Local governments are also prohibited from passing ordinances that contradict these specific lane assignment rules. Violations of these requirements are classified as civil infractions.