Rep. Jennifer Wortz

Maddy summaryHB 4191 requires hunters who bait deer during hunting season to purchase a $20 deer baiting license in addition to a valid hunting license. This applies specifically to those engaging in "deer or elk baiting" (depositing feed to attract deer for hunting), excluding agricultural practices, normal logging, or feeding wildlife that excludes deer. Revenue from the license must fund research and surveillance of chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases in deer and elk. The bill amends Michigan’s Natural Resources Act to establish this licensing requirement and funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural workers at the 2023 level ($15.10/hour) through 2025. It directly affects Michigan farmers who rely on the H-2A program, as the current 2025 AEWR in Michigan is $18.15/hour - a 34% increase since 2019. The resolution seeks to prevent further wage hikes for temporary farm workers, aiming to reduce rising labor costs amid broader farm expense increases. It does not change existing law but calls on Congress to pass legislation implementing this freeze.

Maddy summaryHB 4123 amends Michigan's Reconnect Grant Act to expand support for adult learners pursuing industry-recognized credentials. It requires eligible community colleges and career-training programs to implement corequisite academic support (taking college-level courses while receiving targeted help) instead of traditional remedial classes, and to report on student success strategies like credit for prior learning. The bill directly affects adult students enrolled in these programs and institutions receiving Reconnect Grants, including career-tech centers and apprenticeships offering stackable credentials. Key changes include expanding grant funding eligibility to cover non-degree certificate programs and mandating institutions to provide free academic support for students needing remediation. If passed, these changes would reshape how Michigan's community colleges and career programs support adult learners seeking job-ready skills.

Maddy summaryHB 4117 amends Michigan's Animal Industry Act to require cage-free housing for egg-laying hens and restrict confinement for gestating sows and calves raised for veal. It prohibits keeping hens in cages or confining them in ways that prevent turning around freely or fully extending limbs, mandating cage-free systems with enrichments like perches and nest boxes, and setting minimum floor space based on industry guidelines. The law affects egg producers (especially those with 3,000+ hens) and businesses selling shell eggs in Michigan, with small farms (<3,000 hens) exempt from the egg sales ban. It takes effect for egg-laying hens on January 1, 2029, and for gestating sows on April 1, 2020 (already implemented).

Maddy summaryHB 4002 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to clarify eligibility and usage rules for workers. It expands the definition of "family member" to include domestic partners and specifies that employees must work at least 25 hours weekly (averaged over a benefit year) to qualify for sick time. The bill also defines key terms like "benefit year" (a 12-month period for calculating leave) and clarifies that employers with 50+ employees must provide sick time for health, family, or safety needs. These changes aim to make the law's implementation more consistent while maintaining existing requirements for covered workers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It declares February 14, 2025, as "Frederick Douglass Day" in Michigan to honor the abolitionist's legacy. The resolution commemorates Douglass' life and contributions, including his birth date adoption and work for civil rights, but has no legal effect or impact on state laws or residents. It serves solely as a symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week in Michigan. It encourages Michigan citizens to recognize the National FFA Organization's role in supporting agricultural education, youth leadership development, and career preparation for students in grades 7-12. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally acknowledges FFA's contributions to agricultural education programs across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 4068 modifies Michigan's death reporting law for newborns surrendered through designated safety devices (like hospital safe-haven locations). If a newborn born alive after an attempted abortion is surrendered under Michigan's Safe Delivery of Newborns Law (MCL 712.1-712.20) and later dies, funeral directors must report the death as "Baby Doe" with no identifying details - such as parent names, addresses, or the informant's information. This change ensures anonymity for parents who use the surrender option while maintaining standard death reporting procedures. The bill applies specifically to infants surrendered through the safety device process, not to general infant deaths.

Maddy summaryHB 4067 modifies Michigan's "safe delivery of newborns law" to allow parents to surrender newborns (defined as children under 72 hours old) to designated safety devices - like secure boxes in hospitals or fire stations - without revealing their identity. Parents receive written information about their 28-day window to reclaim the baby and must be informed that adoption proceedings will follow if they don’t act. The bill removes mandatory child protection reporting requirements for these surrenders and provides legal immunity to hospitals, fire departments, and police stations that follow the process, except for gross negligence. It directly affects parents seeking to safely relinquish newborns, healthcare facilities, and child placing agencies handling the surrenders.

Maddy summaryHB 4069 amends Michigan's penal code to clarify that surrendering a newborn under 72 hours old to a hospital, fire department, or police station (as defined by the "safe delivery of newborns law") serves as a legal defense against abandonment charges. It directly affects parents or caregivers who choose this option for newborns, ensuring they cannot face criminal prosecution solely for this action. The bill explicitly states that criminal investigations must not be initiated based only on a newborn being surrendered through these designated channels. It updates Section 135 of the penal code to align with existing protections under Michigan's newborn safety law, without changing the underlying policy.