Rep. Kathy Schmaltz

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan laws regarding guardianship and conservatorship to strengthen the rights of individuals facing incapacity proceedings. It requires guardians ad litem, who represent vulnerable people during these hearings, to personally visit the individual and clearly explain their legal rights, such as the ability to contest the petition or limit a guardian's authority over medical decisions. The legislation also mandates that courts provide free legal counsel to indigent individuals who wish to contest a guardianship or request specific limits on a guardian's powers. Additionally, the bill directs guardians ad litem to explore alternatives to full guardianship, such as limited guardianship or patient advocacy designations, and ensures that compensation for these representatives is only granted if they have fulfilled their new reporting duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to regulate the appointment and duties of professional guardians and conservators. It requires courts to find that no suitable family member or friend is available before appointing a professional and mandates that these professionals submit criminal background checks and post a financial bond. The legislation also establishes strict rules for compensation, requiring professionals to disclose any outside income received for their role, and outlines specific care standards such as maintaining a visitation schedule and ensuring adequate staffing. Additionally, the bill clarifies notification procedures for interested parties and defines the limits on what support staff can do, prohibiting them from making major financial or medical decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5953 limits the late fees or penalties that privately owned toll bridge operators can charge for unpaid tolls to no more than five times the original toll amount. This restriction applies only to privately owned bridges and does not affect international crossings or publicly owned bridges. The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to establish this cap, ensuring that fees for overdue tolls remain proportional to the initial cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to create an annual report on opioid overdose deaths, detailing the number of fatalities, trends, risk factors, and potential prevention strategies. By February 1st each year, the department must publish this data and share it with the Opioid Advisory Commission if the commission requests it for its own annual report. The legislation aims to improve information sharing between state health officials and the advisory council to better track and address the opioid crisis.

Maddy summaryHB 5941 amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain gratuities received by tipped employees are treated for tax purposes. The bill specifically addresses the exclusion of these tips from taxable income, ensuring that workers in the service industry are not taxed on amounts that are already exempt under federal rules. By updating the state tax code, the legislation aligns Michigan's treatment of tipped income with existing federal standards. This change directly affects employees who rely on tips as part of their compensation and the employers who report such earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan teacher preparation programs to include specific training on dyslexia and the science of reading by September 2027. Starting that date, the state will not approve or will revoke approval for any teacher training program unless it covers instruction on dyslexia characteristics, reading comprehension issues, and evidence-based teaching methods grounded in structured literacy. Programs preparing teachers for math or science certifications must also ensure their curricula were developed with input from professors specializing in those subjects. The legislation defines key terms like "dyslexia" and "evidence-based" to ensure clarity and sets up a waiver process for programs that do not initially meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes supervision requirements for individuals holding temporary licenses as emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technician specialists, or paramedics in Michigan. Under the new rules, these temporary license holders must practice only under the direct supervision of a similarly licensed professional who holds a permanent license rather than a temporary one. The legislation applies to all temporary license holders in these health occupations and does not alter the licensing standards for permanent practitioners. The act takes effect immediately upon approval and is tied to the passage of a companion bill, HB 4613.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's public health laws to allow the state health department to issue nonrenewable temporary licenses to individuals who have met all licensure requirements for emergency medical roles except for specific exams. These temporary licenses are valid for one year and permit the holder to practice only under direct supervision. The measure directly affects aspiring medical first responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who need time to complete their required examinations. It also includes a provision stating that the law does not take effect unless a companion bill, HB 4614, is also enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a buddy-to-buddy mentorship program for active-duty service members and veterans living in the state. The initiative pairs individuals with volunteer mentors who provide guidance on practical matters like education, employment, and healthcare, as well as connect them with advocates for mental health and substance use support. While non-veterans can serve as mentors, the program prioritizes recruiting veterans to lead these efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes that private information shared within the program remains confidential and is exempt from public disclosure under the state's freedom of information laws. This legislation will only take effect if several other related bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to better support service members and veterans. The office will be led by a manager appointed based on experience in veteran mental health and will have the authority to collect data on mental health conditions, administer grants to local and nonprofit groups, and publish a free wellness resource guide with treatment listings and a self-assessment tool. Additionally, the legislation ensures that any personal data collected remains confidential and is exempt from public disclosure under state freedom of information laws.