Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryHB 4766 prohibits the manufacture and sale of personal care products (like face washes and lotions) and cleaning products (including soaps and air fresheners) containing plastic microbeads in Michigan. Starting January 1, 2026, manufacturers cannot make such products, and retailers cannot sell them starting January 1, 2027, with an exception for microbeads below 1 part per million by weight. The law applies to businesses producing or selling these items in Michigan, and violations can result in daily fines up to $2,000. Enforcement falls to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, which will track compliance and report annually.

Maddy summaryHB 4677 requires Michigan courts to provide petitioners with written information about alternatives to full guardianship before filing a petition, including supported decision-making. This bill directly affects individuals potentially declared incapacitated and their families or caregivers navigating guardianship proceedings. The key mechanism mandates courts to explain options like limited guardianship, durable power of attorney, and supported decision-making - where individuals with disabilities receive support from trusted people to make their own choices. The change aims to prioritize less restrictive options before appointing a full guardian.

Maddy summaryHB 4676 amends Michigan's mental health guardianship law to require courts and guardians to prioritize the "least restrictive means" when appointing guardians for individuals with mental health conditions. This directly affects people needing court-appointed guardianship due to mental health challenges, such as those with severe depression, schizophrenia, or developmental disabilities. The key provision mandates that guardians and courts must first consider less restrictive options - like supported living arrangements or limited guardianship - before imposing full guardianship. This change aims to preserve individual autonomy and minimize unnecessary restrictions on personal decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 4758 requires Michigan Works agencies to create teams providing job transition services to two groups: individuals who lost federal jobs involuntarily between January 2025 and January 2027 (dislocated federal employees), and veterans. The bill mandates these teams to analyze job matches with public employers, assess transferable skills, and refer individuals to both public and private employers needing staff. It also requires assistance with filing for unemployment benefits under Michigan’s existing employment security system. The law applies specifically to Michigan Works agencies and public employers like state/local governments, schools, and community colleges. This bill creates a new coordination framework but does not establish new benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4760 requires Michigan law enforcement officers to wear visible identification (showing their name or badge number and agency) and not wear masks or disguises during public interactions while performing duties. Exceptions allow masks for health protection (e.g., airborne diseases), safety from toxins, or physical protection during high-risk incidents like shootouts. The law applies to all state and federal officers in Michigan during public engagements, with violations punishable as misdemeanors (up to 90 days in jail or $1,000 fine). It does not affect covert operations or officers wearing protective gear for legitimate safety reasons.

Maddy summaryHB 4759 encourages public employers (like state agencies, cities, schools, and community colleges) to use an expedited hiring process for dislocated federal employees who are referred through the state's reemployment services program. The bill requires public employers receiving such referrals to prioritize these candidates, though it does not mandate hiring. Key provisions include defining "public employer" broadly and specifying that this process must follow existing constitutional hiring rules for state positions. It does not override other laws but depends on another bill (HB 4758) being enacted first. The measure directly affects dislocated federal workers seeking new jobs and public employers hiring for open positions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the federal government to maintain funding and reinstate staff for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) while negotiating the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." It directly affects Michigan residents who rely on the state's Home Heating Credit Program, which provided assistance to 248,765 Michiganders in 2022 - including low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities - by helping cover heating costs. The resolution highlights that proposed federal budget cuts to LIHEAP and the recent firing of LIHEAP program staff threaten the program's continuation, potentially causing payment delays or termination. As a non-binding request, it asks federal leaders to prioritize LIHEAP funding to prevent disruption of this critical aid.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 143) urges members of Congress to reject President Trump's proposed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and instead support policies that fully fund Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC. It directly affects millions of low-income Americans, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable communities who rely on these programs for healthcare, food assistance, and nutrition support. The resolution opposes cuts to Medicaid (which covers 1 in 4 Michiganders), SNAP (impacting 1.4 million Michiganders), and WIC, while criticizing tax breaks for wealthy households and reduced clean energy funding. It calls for expanding healthcare access, promoting clean energy, and ensuring a fair tax system as concrete policy alternatives.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress to maintain funding for the Federal TRIO programs, which support low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. It highlights that TRIO provides academic tutoring, counseling, financial guidance, and other assistance through eight specific programs (like Upward Bound for high school students and the McNair Program for doctoral preparation). The resolution responds to a proposed budget cut that would eliminate all TRIO funding, potentially affecting over 880,000 participants annually, including 6,000 veterans. The measure has been introduced and referred to committee but does not create new law.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. It declares July 26, 2025, as "National Disability Independence Day" in Michigan to commemorate 35 years since key federal disability rights progress. The resolution encourages all Michigan residents to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities. It directly affects Michigan residents by symbolically acknowledging the state's disability community and their ongoing journey toward accessibility and inclusion. The resolution has no binding policy changes or funding provisions.