Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Human Trafficking Notification Act to require specific locations to display notices about human trafficking. It mandates that the Department of Transportation, local governments operating rest stops or transit stations, and certain property owners post these notices on their premises. The law specifically targets adult entertainment establishments, public airports, and properties previously ruled by a court to be public nuisances due to prostitution or human trafficking activities. The bill also includes a provision stating it will not take effect unless another related bill is passed into law.

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 summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's penal code to strengthen protections and procedures for minors involved in human trafficking cases. It establishes a legal presumption that children under 18 are coerced into sex or labor trafficking offenses, shifting the burden to the prosecution to prove otherwise if they wish to avoid this classification. The legislation also mandates that law enforcement immediately report suspected trafficking involving minors to the Department of Health and Human Services, which must then begin an investigation within 24 hours. Additionally, the bill clarifies how prior convictions affect sentencing severity and outlines specific evidence types courts can use to verify a defendant's criminal history. These changes directly impact law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and the Department of Health and Human Services in handling cases involving child victims of trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow honorably discharged veterans and active-duty military members free entry into state parks and public boating access sites. It requires these individuals to display a special hangtag, sticker, or form issued by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs after their status is verified, rather than paying the standard recreation passport fee. The change applies to resident vehicles entering these locations and does not affect nonresident vehicle entry rules or other existing fee exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for people charged with crimes if they can prove they committed those acts because they were victims of human trafficking. Under the new rule, a defendant must show by a "preponderance of the evidence" that their criminal behavior was a direct result of being trafficked. This provision applies to both felony and misdemeanor charges and allows courts to consider the trafficking victim status as a reason for the offense. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's workers' compensation rules to presume that certain heart and respiratory diseases are caused by work duties for a wider group of police, fire, and public safety employees. It specifically includes members of airport fire departments, county sheriff deputies, state police, conservation officers, and forest fire officers, alongside existing city and township personnel. Under the new provisions, these workers are automatically considered to have developed these conditions on the job unless there is clear scientific evidence that smoking or other non-work factors were the primary cause. The legislation also requires these individuals to apply for pension benefits before claiming workers' compensation for these specific illnesses.

Maddy summaryHB 5849 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update the legal definitions and references regarding prostitution within the state's nuisance laws. The bill modifies specific sections of the law to ensure consistency with current terminology and statutes concerning commercial sexual activity and related offenses. It classifies buildings, vehicles, and other locations used for prostitution as nuisances and holds owners or operators accountable for maintaining such spaces. This change is a technical update to existing legal frameworks rather than a new criminal prohibition, and it requires the passage of a companion bill to become effective.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to offer an optional lesson on organ, eye, and tissue donation to students before they finish ninth grade. The state education department must create or adopt a short presentation model by January 1, 2025, which includes information about the Michigan organ donor registry and can be delivered within a single class period. While school boards are encouraged to use this material, parents or legal guardians can request that their child be excused from the lesson without any penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Education to create and distribute informational notices about sextortion to school districts, academies, and their staff, students in grades 6 through 12, and parents. The notices must explain the legal definition of sextortion, include the relevant state law, and provide contact details for the state police office of school safety. Additionally, school boards are mandated to develop educational policies on the topic and hold at least one annual meeting to share free resources on sextortion from federal and national organizations. The legislation defines sextortion as a form of child sexual exploitation where an adult threatens to share a minor's nude or sexual image unless they provide more content, engage in sexual activity, or pay money.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention program aimed at protecting children and reducing exposure to lead-based paint. Key provisions require the department to develop educational materials for healthcare providers, schools, and parents, while also establishing a system to track blood lead test results and automatically notify local health officials when a child under three is found to have elevated levels. Upon receiving such a notification, the department must initiate contact with the child's doctor or local health department and ensure the child is referred to the Early On program for support. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing the number of children screened and diagnosed with high lead levels, as well as a financial accounting of the program's expenditures.