Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryHB 5078 expands the ability of healthcare providers to prescribe and dispense opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, to a broader group of people beyond just patients at risk of overdose. The law now allows these medications to be given to family members, friends, or other individuals who might assist someone during an overdose emergency, as well as to specific agencies and their employees who act under a doctor's direction. To support this change, the bill grants legal immunity to prescribers and pharmacists from civil lawsuits if a properly stored and dispensed dose causes injury or death. Additionally, it clarifies that when issuing prescriptions to these non-patient recipients, the name of the agency or individual should be listed as the patient on the prescription. This legislation takes effect on April 2, 2025, and is contingent upon the passage of a companion bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's medical assistance program to require coverage for mental health screenings during the postpartum period for eligible individuals. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum people receiving state-funded healthcare by ensuring their mental health needs are addressed as part of their medical services. The key provision mandates that the state pay for these screenings under the existing medical assistance plan, aligning with federal standards for reasonable charges. This change expands the scope of covered services without altering the broader structure of hospital, nursing home, or pharmaceutical benefits already available under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Energy Assistance Program to ensure low-income households receive financial help with energy bills. It mandates that the state department simplify the application process into a single form and requires assistance to prioritize vulnerable populations. The law also directs providers to offer services that help participants budget for energy costs and connect them with weatherization programs to reduce energy waste. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements, shifting the deadline for annual program distribution reports to March 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 5060 eliminates the Michigan Economic and Social Opportunity Act of 1981, which previously established a state bureau and commission focused on reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency for low-income individuals. By repealing the 1981 law, the bill removes the legal framework that designated community action agencies and defined the powers and duties of the department, bureau, and commission. This change effectively dissolves the specific administrative structure created by the 1981 act, altering how these entities operate within the state government. The legislation affects the state's organizational setup for economic and social services but does not create new programs or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to provide specific legal remedies for individuals who face housing discrimination based on their source of income. It allows people who believe they have been discriminated against to file a civil lawsuit in circuit court to seek injunctive relief or financial damages. The potential damages are capped at either the actual injury and loss suffered or three times the monthly rent, whichever is lower, and also cover court costs and attorney fees. This legislation only takes effect if it is passed together with two related Senate bills, SB 0205 and SB 0206.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the procedures for disposing of firearms seized by law enforcement in Michigan. It requires the State Police director to either auction the weapons to eligible buyers, destroy them, or use another lawful method approved by the director. Before taking action, the director must check if the gun was reported lost or stolen and give the owner 30 days to claim it, while also posting a public notice with the firearm's details. The legislation also grants the department immunity from lawsuits if they follow these disposal rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover specific hormonal contraceptives, such as patches, self-administered methods, and vaginal rings, when they are prescribed and dispensed by a pharmacist at a network pharmacy. The law mandates that this coverage must include any necessary consultation services and must be consistent with how other prescription drugs are covered under the policy. It applies to insurance policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2025, but will not take effect unless a companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Opioid Antagonist Act to allow agencies and their trained employees to distribute naloxone directly to any individual, expanding access beyond the previous restrictions. It grants these agencies and workers immunity from civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution for distributing or administering the drug, provided their actions do not involve gross negligence or willful misconduct. The law also clarifies that agencies can purchase and possess naloxone specifically for the purpose of distributing it to the public. This legislation takes effect on April 2, 2025, contingent on the simultaneous enactment of a companion bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws by establishing specific time limits for filing indictments against individuals accused of various crimes. It directly affects prosecutors, victims, and defendants by clarifying when legal charges must be brought to court. The key provisions set a 25-year limit for certain sexual offenses, a 10-year limit for crimes like kidnapping and identity theft, and a 15-year limit for offenses involving real property fraud. Additionally, the law allows for indictments to be filed at any time if DNA evidence links an unidentified suspect to a crime, but requires charges to be filed within a set period once the suspect is identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework in Michigan to handle the division of "heirs property," which is real estate owned by multiple relatives who inherited it without a formal agreement. It establishes specific rules for courts to follow when these properties are contested, requiring judges to first determine if the land qualifies as heirs property before deciding how to split it. Under the new provisions, courts must order professional appraisals to set a fair market value unless all owners agree on a price or the cost of an appraisal is deemed too high. The legislation also mandates that plaintiffs post a sign on the property during legal proceedings to notify potential heirs and requires that any appointed evaluators be impartial and not involved in the case.