Rep. Felicia Brabec

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 creates a new Technical Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to guide regulations on onsite wastewater treatment systems. The committee will consist of 21 members representing local health departments, engineers, scientists, manufacturers, installers, and other stakeholders to advise on standards, testing, and ethical guidelines. It establishes specific requirements for registering and continuing education for evaluators and practitioners who design, construct, maintain, or manage these systems. The committee will also provide guidance on how local health departments should handle older systems that were permitted before the new statewide sewage code took effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Michigan, allowing them to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The legislation creates a system where a therapist licensed in their home state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in remote states, provided the patient is located in that remote state during the encounter. Key provisions include the mutual recognition of licenses, the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information between states, and specific accommodations for military families relocating. The law also aims to improve public access to therapy services by facilitating the use of telehealth technology and ensuring consistent regulatory standards across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice under a national licensure compact. The key provision authorizes individuals who hold a compact privilege from other states to engage in practice within Michigan as if they were fully licensed under state law. By incorporating this compact, the legislation aims to facilitate easier mobility for these healthcare professionals across state lines while maintaining the same professional standards and obligations. The changes apply directly to occupational therapy practitioners and the facilities that employ them, ensuring that out-of-state compact members are recognized and regulated consistently with local licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments in Michigan to impose specific restrictions on firearms, pneumatic guns, and related ammunition within their jurisdictions. It explicitly permits municipalities to regulate how employees carry weapons at work, set age limits for children possessing air guns, ban threatening displays of such weapons, and prohibit open carry inside government buildings. The legislation also clarifies that these local rules cannot override existing state criminal laws and must allow law enforcement officers to openly carry firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally honors Lillie Lester, the first woman and first Black woman to serve as a legislative sergeant-at-arms in the United States. It recognizes her significant contributions to the Michigan House of Representatives and her role in the civil rights movement, highlighting her career from a factory worker to a trusted advisor to lawmakers. The resolution acknowledges her legacy by noting her impact on the state legislature and her community, and it directs that copies of the document be sent to her family. This measure serves as an official record of appreciation rather than changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Michigan from requiring employees, independent contractors, or interns to sign noncompete agreements, which are contracts that prevent workers from working for competitors after leaving their current job. The law allows noncompetes only in specific situations, such as when a business owner sells their company or when a worker is highly compensated and restricted from soliciting clients rather than competing directly. Agreements that violate these rules are declared unenforceable, and workers who face penalties for breaking them can sue for lost wages and legal fees. However, the bill does not ban agreements protecting trade secrets or those restricting client solicitation under strict conditions, such as a high salary and a one-year limit.

Maddy summaryHB 4405 updates Michigan's wage deduction laws by clarifying when employers can take money from employee paychecks without written permission. The bill specifically allows employers to deduct overpayments caused by mathematical or clerical errors and to satisfy court-ordered debt judgments without prior consent, provided they give employees written notice at least one pay period in advance. These deductions are limited to 15% of gross wages per pay period and cannot reduce an employee's pay below the applicable minimum wage. Additionally, the law requires employers to keep clear records for each deduction and prohibits prorating these amounts across multiple employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a specific sentencing guideline to Michigan's criminal code for violations related to wage and fringe benefit payments. By amending the state's sentencing guidelines, it aims to provide judges with a standardized framework for determining penalties in cases where employers fail to pay workers correctly. The legislation does not create new crimes or change existing laws but instead offers a tool for courts to apply consistent sentencing in these specific employment disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for employers in Michigan who intentionally fail to pay owed wages and fringe benefits to employees. The law establishes a tiered punishment system where the severity of the crime and the potential prison sentence depend on the total value of the unpaid money. Smaller unpaid amounts result in misdemeanor charges with shorter jail terms, while larger sums can lead to felony convictions with prison sentences of up to 20 years. Additionally, the bill allows fines to be up to three times the value of the unpaid wages, and repeat offenders face harsher penalties than first-time violators.