Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Water Shutoff Protection Act to regulate how Michigan water utilities handle unpaid bills for residential customers. It mandates that providers must make at least three contact attempts using multiple methods, such as door notices, phone calls, or mail, before cutting off service for non-payment. The law specifically prohibits shutting off water for households with critical care needs, such as those using life-support systems, and defines eligibility for assistance based on income levels and participation in various state and federal aid programs. Additionally, the act requires utilities to inform customers about available payment plans and affordability programs before enforcing a shutoff.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Low-Income Water Residential Affordability Fund in Michigan to help pay for water assistance programs and reduce utility bills for low-income households. Water providers will collect a monthly fee of up to $2.00 per residential account, which is then sent to the state treasury to be distributed for bill discounts, arrears payments, and plumbing repairs. The law also protects these payments from being seized to collect other debts and requires providers to report their usage annually. Additionally, the funding amount can be adjusted every three years based on recommendations from a task force, but it cannot exceed $3.00 per month or increase total collections by more than 10% compared to the previous year.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's civil procedure laws to allow the state and private citizens to sue firearm industry members for creating a public nuisance through the sale, manufacture, or marketing of firearms and related products. The legislation requires these companies to implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop product theft, and avoid promoting illegal use, while holding them liable for foreseeable harm caused by their products even if third parties acted unlawfully. If a violation occurs, the attorney general or an injured person can seek court orders to stop the conduct, force the company to pay for cleanup, and recover compensatory and punitive damages along with legal fees. The bill explicitly defines key terms such as "firearm industry member" and "firearm-related product" to include items like 3D printers and accessories that enhance a gun's firing capabilities, ensuring the law covers a broad range of items. Additionally, the statute clarifies that proving intent to harm is not necessary to win a case and does not limit existing legal rights under other state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's corrections code to require the Department of Corrections to create standardized parole guidelines that help the parole board make objective, evidence-based release decisions. The new rules mandate that these guidelines consider specific factors such as the nature of the offense, institutional behavior, prior criminal history, and statistical risk assessments while prohibiting decisions based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Additionally, the legislation strictly limits the circumstances under which the parole board can deny parole to individuals who otherwise qualify for release, requiring written justification for any such departures. The bill also establishes a structured review schedule for prisoners denied parole and ensures that those denied based on incomplete programming receive a chance to complete it before being reconsidered.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's penal code to update the definitions of terms used in animal cruelty laws, such as "adequate care," "shelter," and "neglect." It specifically clarifies what constitutes proper shelter for dogs, detailing requirements for doghouses and prohibiting the use of inadequate spaces like crawl spaces or wire crates. The legislation also defines "animal control" and "animal protection" shelters to distinguish between government-run facilities and those operated by private organizations. By refining these legal definitions, the bill aims to provide clearer standards for what constitutes proper animal treatment and neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines to reflect the decriminalization of certain acts related to tampering with utility shutoffs at residences. By amending specific sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it adjusts how courts determine penalties for these offenses under current law. The change ensures that sentencing recommendations align with recent legal shifts that removed criminal status from specific utility interference behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Crime Victim's Rights Act to ensure that victims of crime receive specific notices regarding their rights during the resentencing of prisoners. It requires prosecutors to inform victims about their ability to submit impact statements detailing physical, emotional, and economic harm, as well as their views on restitution and sentencing. The legislation also mandates that victims be notified about the availability of pre-sentence reports and the details of upcoming sentencing hearings. Additionally, these notification requirements apply to cases involving juveniles, ensuring consistent treatment of victims across different types of criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Revised Judicature Act to clarify how existing personal protection orders apply to animal abuse cases. It directly affects individuals seeking legal protection from domestic violence or stalking by explicitly adding provisions that allow courts to restrain a respondent from injuring, killing, or neglecting an animal owned by the petitioner. The key mechanism involves expanding the list of prohibited behaviors to include specific acts against pets intended to cause mental distress or exert control over the victim. Additionally, the bill ensures that courts cannot refuse to issue an order solely because there is no police or medical report, while prohibiting mutual orders unless both parties independently petition for them. These changes aim to strengthen legal recourse for victims by formally recognizing animal cruelty as a relevant factor in domestic safety restraining orders.

Maddy summaryHB 6185 amends Michigan's firearm laws to require federally licensed dealers to sell guns with a trigger lock or a secure storage container, unless the buyer provides their own safety device or the firearm is an antique. The bill also mandates that dealers provide free safety brochures and warning notices to purchasers and retain records of these transactions for six years. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that firearm manufacturers and producers are generally immune from civil lawsuits by local governments, except in cases involving specific contract breaches or product defects that cause injury to government employees or property. This provision aims to limit liability for manufacturers while reserving the right for the state attorney general to bring certain legal actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits judges from sentencing individuals under the age of 19 to life in prison without the possibility of parole. It achieves this by amending existing criminal procedure laws to remove the authority for courts to impose such extreme sentences on juveniles. The legislation directly affects the sentencing options available for minors convicted of serious crimes, ensuring they cannot receive a life sentence with no chance of release. By eliminating this specific penalty, the bill restricts the maximum punishment for young offenders while leaving other sentencing structures for adults and older juveniles unchanged.