Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan e-bike transportation incentive program to provide financial assistance for purchasing electric bicycles. It creates a process where the state issues discount vouchers to residents who are at least 18 years old and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as participating in certain assistance programs or having a household income below 300% of the federal poverty level. Qualified residents receive a voucher worth up to $300, while income-qualified residents receive up to $600, both capped at 90% of the bike's price and limited to one per person. The program requires retailers to register with the state and mandates that vouchers be redeemed within one year, with the initiative set to end on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Home Rule City Act to change the timeline for electing charter commissions in cities that vote to revise their local charters. Specifically, it extends the deadline for electing these commissions from 60 days to 200 days after a city approves a charter revision. The legislation also clarifies that if a proposed charter is rejected by voters, the commission can choose to continue working on amendments before resubmitting the plan, but it limits the total number of times a charter can be voted on to three. Additionally, the bill allows cities to include advisory votes on government structure changes alongside the main charter revision question.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a new funding system that pays certified community behavioral health clinics in advance for their expected costs. The law applies to clinics, nonprofit groups, and private organizations that provide mental health services and meet specific federal and state certification standards. To ensure fair treatment, the bill requires the department to establish rules that prevent retaliation against these providers and creates a process for resolving payment disputes through an independent adjudicator. Implementation of this payment system must be completed by October 1, 2027, but the bill will only take effect if a companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Michigan to sign and witness important legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney, using real-time video calls instead of meeting in person. To qualify, the video interaction must be recorded and kept for at least three years, and both the signer and witnesses must clearly see and hear each other while the document is being executed. The law also requires that every page of the document be numbered and legible during the call, with a copy sent to witnesses within 72 hours for them to sign and return. Additionally, the bill removes an expiration date that previously limited these electronic signing rules, ensuring they remain in effect indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Sex Offender Registration Act to clarify how certain legal statuses are defined for registration purposes. It expands the definition of "convicted" to include specific juvenile adjudications and orders of disposition for individuals aged 14 or older who would be classified as tier III offenders, while excluding convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Additionally, the legislation updates the definition of "custodial authority" to explicitly cover a broader range of relationships and positions, including specific roles within schools, correctional facilities, and county probation programs where an individual might have access to or authority over a victim. These changes aim to ensure that sex offenders with these specific backgrounds are properly identified and registered under the state's tracking system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal framework for needle and hypodermic syringe access programs in Michigan, allowing individuals to distribute sterile needles and provide related services to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. It grants the state department of health the authority to set rules for establishing these programs and clarifies that people participating in them are not breaking laws regarding the possession or distribution of needles, syringes, or trace amounts of drugs found within them. The legislation also specifies that involvement in these programs can be proven through third-party testimony or program sign-in sheets to protect participants from criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's child care laws to strengthen background check requirements for staff, household members, and license applicants. It establishes specific rules that automatically disqualify individuals from working in child care if they refuse background checks, provide false information, or have convictions for crimes such as child abuse, sexual offenses, domestic violence, and certain felonies involving harm or fraud. The legislation also sets time limits on how long past felony or misdemeanor convictions must have occurred before an individual becomes eligible to work in a child care setting.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify and expand testing and counseling requirements for individuals charged with or convicted of prostitution and related offenses. It mandates that courts order medical examinations for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV for defendants at various stages of the legal process, including arrest, pre-trial release, and after conviction. The law also requires that test results be shared with defendants and health departments for partner notification, while ensuring that counseling and testing services are provided confidentially. Additionally, the bill specifies that victims of sexual offenses can request expedited testing within 48 hours of a defendant's custody or indictment.

Maddy summaryHB 5843 amends Michigan's Probate Code to clarify which specific offenses require a juvenile court to assert exclusive jurisdiction over minors under 18. The bill explicitly lists violations such as certain criminal acts, possession of dangerous weapons, escape from juvenile facilities, and commercial sexual activity as grounds for the court to take immediate control of a case. By updating these definitions, the legislation ensures that the juvenile court system handles cases involving these serious behaviors without interference from other courts. This change directly affects the legal process for minors charged with these specific offenses and their parents or guardians.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It specifically defines what counts as "new evidence" for compensation claims, including DNA results and expert testimony, while noting that a witness recantation alone is insufficient without additional supporting proof. The legislation also establishes new procedural requirements, such as mandating that prosecutors notify victims of assaultive crimes when a compensation claim is filed and setting strict timelines for legal responses. Additionally, it adjusts the standard of proof needed to win a case, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate their innocence by clear and convincing evidence rather than just a preponderance of the evidence.