Rep. Kathy Schmaltz

Maddy summaryHB 5210 allows commercial fishing license holders to list multiple vessels on a single license instead of requiring separate licenses for each boat. Licensees can add or remove vessels anytime by providing written notice to the department. The bill also clarifies rules for transferring licenses when boats are sold, damaged, or lost, including fee adjustments for larger vessels or non-resident transfers. All vessels listed under one license must operate within 50 miles of the originally designated port.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 22-28, 2026, as School-Based Health Care Awareness Week in Michigan. It recognizes Michigan's over 300 school-based health centers that provide primary, mental, and preventive care to students, highlighting their role in improving attendance, academic performance, and health outcomes. The resolution serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of these centers' work and does not create new policies, funding, or legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4279 would create a new apprenticeship program for Michigan National Guard members, allowing them to earn industry-recognized certifications while serving. The bill establishes a formal structure for training in high-demand fields like engineering and information technology, directly affecting Guard members seeking to build civilian career skills. Key provisions include requiring the Michigan National Guard to develop partnerships with employers and educational institutions to design the apprenticeships. The legislation is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 5035 creates a legal remedy for individuals harmed by false claims in assisted reproduction services. It allows patients who gave birth to a child through such services, their spouses at the time, children conceived via the false representation, or gamete donors to sue providers for economic damages, non-financial harm, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law requires lawsuits to be filed within 3 years of discovering the false representation and specifies that this new cause of action applies alongside existing criminal or civil penalties. The bill directly affects patients, families, and donors involved in assisted reproduction when providers make misleading claims about services or results.

Maddy summaryHB 5038 proposes updating Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address false statements about reproductive health in assisted reproduction cases. It would directly affect individuals convicted of lying regarding fertility, genetic status, or other reproductive health matters when seeking or providing assisted reproductive services. The bill amends existing sentencing rules (MCL 777.16l) to create dedicated guidelines for these offenses, ensuring courts apply consistent penalties. This change would only apply to cases where false representation occurs in a legal context related to assisted reproduction, not general false statements. The bill is currently in committee referral following its introduction on September 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5039 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add disciplinary action for health professionals who make false representations in assisted reproduction services. It specifically adds "misrepresentation to a consumer or patient" in professional practice (including assisted reproduction) as a prohibited act under disciplinary grounds. This directly affects licensed health professionals, such as fertility specialists or clinics, who provide or advertise assisted reproductive services. The bill expands existing disciplinary criteria to include fraud or false claims related to fees or services in this field, allowing the licensing board to investigate and take action for such violations.

Maddy summaryHB 5037 extends the statute of limitations for certain criminal sexual conduct offenses involving victims under 18 years old. Specifically, it increases the time limit for filing indictments from 10 years to 15 years after the offense, or until the victim turns 28 - whichever is later. The bill also allows indefinite filing for cases where DNA evidence identifies the perpetrator, with charges needing to be filed within 15 years of identification. This change directly affects victims of these specific offenses and prosecutors seeking to pursue charges, providing more time to identify perpetrators and file cases.

Maddy summaryHB 5036 prohibits knowingly providing false or misleading information about assisted reproduction procedures in Michigan, targeting health professionals and donors. It penalizes false claims regarding embryos/gametes, donor identity (including name or birthdate), or donor medical/family history with up to 5 years in prison or $50,000 fines. Health professionals who use unconsented embryos or gametes face harsher penalties: up to 15 years or $100,000 fines, and anonymous donor requests do not excuse violations. The bill applies to fertility clinics and providers, aiming to ensure transparency in services like IVF where accurate donor information is critical.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law), declaring February 11, 2026, as "2-1-1 Day" in Michigan. It recognizes the 2-1-1 helpline service, which connects Michiganders to free health and human services (like housing, food, and disaster assistance) without creating new policies or changing how the service operates. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the existing 2-1-1 resource, which handled over 400,000 contacts in fiscal year 2025. It has no binding effect on state programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4141 would have required Michigan school districts and public school academies to create a formal policy governing student use of wireless communication devices (like cell phones) in schools. The bill aimed to mandate that school boards establish clear rules for when and how such devices could be used during the school day. This proposed policy would directly affect students, teachers, and school administrators across participating schools. The bill was defeated in a 2025 vote (53-45) and did not become law.