Rep. Jim Haadsma

Maddy summaryHB 5588 amends Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure to update the definitions of specific terms used in sentencing guidelines. The bill clarifies the meanings of words such as aircraft, companion animal, departure, homicide, intermediate sanction, ORV, snowmobile, vehicle, and vessel by referencing their existing definitions in other state laws. These changes ensure that legal documents and sentencing decisions consistently use the current definitions for these terms. The legislation directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys who apply these guidelines during criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Home Rule Village Act to standardize when village officials begin their terms. It requires that all village officers elected after December 31, 2024, take office at noon on December 1 of the following year, even if their local charters previously allowed for earlier start dates. Additionally, the law mandates that anyone elected to fill a vacancy must wait until election results are officially certified before taking the oath of office. These changes apply to all villages in the state and override any conflicting rules found in individual village charters.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the start dates for township officer terms in Michigan, specifying that terms beginning after December 31, 2024, will start on December 1 following the election rather than November 20. It also clarifies that all township officers elected before January 1, 2025, will have their terms begin at noon on November 20 of the next election cycle. The legislation further refines procedures for filling vacancies, allowing township boards to appoint replacements for resignations or unqualified elected officials, while establishing specific timelines and rules for when special elections must be held if appointments are not made. Additionally, it outlines how temporary appointments can be made by county election commissioners to ensure a quorum remains when multiple seats on a township board become vacant simultaneously.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing claims against the state of Michigan in the Court of Claims. It requires individuals seeking compensation for property damage or personal injuries to submit a written notice or claim within six months of the incident, rather than the previous one-year deadline. The notice must include specific details such as when and where the incident occurred, a description of the damages, and the name of the state department involved. Once filed, the document must be verified by an authorized officer and sent to the state's attorney general and the relevant agencies. These changes apply only to claims brought in the Court of Claims and do not affect compensation cases under the wrongful imprisonment compensation act.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's health care laws to create a clear process for designating a surrogate to make medical decisions for adults or emancipated minors who cannot do so themselves. It establishes a specific priority list for potential surrogates, starting with out-of-state designations, followed by spouses, adult children, parents, and siblings, while excluding individuals subject to protective orders or pending abuse charges. The legislation requires that a surrogate's authority ends when the patient regains decision-making capacity and mandates that the surrogate sign an acceptance form confirming they will act in the patient's best interest without receiving payment. Additionally, the bill allows patients to disqualify specific individuals from serving as surrogates and ensures that surrogates are informed of the patient's known treatment preferences.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and surgical outpatient facilities in Michigan to offer any leftover eye drops or ointments to patients after certain eye surgeries or treatments. The rule applies specifically when the medication was provided by the facility, used during an inpatient stay, and is needed for the patient's continued care at home. If a pharmacist dispenses the remaining medication, they must label it properly and do not need to provide additional usage instructions if the doctor already did so. This change aims to ensure patients have access to necessary post-procedure medications without needing to purchase them elsewhere.

Maddy summaryHB 5735 modifies Michigan's high school graduation requirements by updating the specific credits students must earn to receive a diploma. The bill mandates that graduates complete four math credits, three social science credits, and one credit in health, physical education, or arts, while also requiring two credits in a language other than English or equivalent coursework. Additionally, it introduces a new requirement for students entering eighth grade in 2023 to complete a half-credit personal finance course that can count toward math, arts, or language requirements. These changes apply to all public school districts and public school academies in the state, ensuring a standardized curriculum for graduation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in consumer contracts. It mandates that any provision allowing a service or subscription to continue without explicit consumer consent must be prominently displayed within the agreement itself. The law directly affects businesses offering recurring services and consumers who sign up for such products, ensuring they are fully informed about how their subscriptions will renew. By adding a new section to the statute, the bill aims to prevent hidden fees and unexpected charges by making these renewal conditions transparent and easy to understand.

Maddy summaryHB 6295 proposes changes to Michigan's workers' compensation law to clarify how benefits are calculated and what conditions qualify for coverage. The bill expands the definition of compensable injuries to include mental disabilities and age-related conditions like heart disease if work significantly contributed to them. It also updates the rules for determining wage loss, requiring employees to demonstrate a good-faith effort to find new work while injured to receive certain benefits. Additionally, the legislation adjusts the percentage of weekly compensation paid to injured workers and clarifies the timeline for establishing when an injury occurred. These amendments aim to modernize the state's disability compensation framework by aligning it with current medical and employment standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that law enforcement disciplinary personnel records be made available to the public upon request under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. It achieves this by explicitly removing an exemption that previously allowed agencies to withhold these records as an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Consequently, the legislation ensures that information regarding officer discipline is treated as a public record subject to disclosure, while maintaining other standard protections for sensitive investigative data and personal privacy.