Rep. Carrie Rheingans

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the duties of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission to include providing legal representation for youth in juvenile court cases, in addition to its existing role for adults. By amending the state's indigent defense act, the legislation ensures that young people facing delinquency charges receive effective legal counsel starting from their initial court appearance. The commission will be responsible for setting minimum standards for how local courts deliver these services to both adults and youth, while also managing funding adjustments based on economic indicators. Ultimately, the bill aims to standardize the quality of legal defense available to financially unable defendants across the state's juvenile justice system.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a state public utility in Michigan that would take over all electric and natural gas generation, distribution, and transmission facilities currently owned by private investor-owned utilities. The amendment establishes a new State Public Utility Board with the power to purchase these assets using bonds, set all utility rates, and manage the system without needing local government consent for infrastructure placement. Within 18 months of taking effect, the board must implement a plan to lower rates for low-income residential customers, build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and upgrade the distribution network for renewable energy. Additionally, the bill requires all existing private utilities to divest their systems to the state and grants the new state utility the right to use public rights-of-way without obtaining local franchises.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date for a specific section of Michigan's Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act. By repealing Section 7, the legislation ensures that the provisions within that section remain in effect indefinitely rather than ending on a set date. The change directly impacts the state's higher education framework by extending the legal authority established in the 2015 act. No new rules or programs are added; the bill simply prevents an existing legal provision from automatically expiring.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to advise the state on research, diagnosis, and treatment for rare diseases. The council will be composed of a diverse group of members, including medical professionals, patient advocates, industry representatives, and individuals with rare diseases, who will serve four-year terms. Once established, the council is authorized to hold public hearings, consult with experts, and apply for grants to develop recommendations for improving care and support for those affected by conditions that impact fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts hospitals in Michigan from requiring registered professional nurses to work more than their regularly scheduled hours, except during declared state emergencies, mass casualty incidents, or when a nurse voluntarily accepts extra shifts. It also prohibits hospitals from disciplining or discriminating against nurses who refuse mandatory overtime and mandates that hospitals provide eight consecutive hours of off-duty time after any 12-hour shift. To enforce these rules, the legislation requires hospitals to post notices informing staff of their rights and outlines specific administrative fines for violations. Additionally, the law includes a provision that delays its application in facilities with existing collective bargaining agreements that currently prevent compliance with the new overtime limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify the legal definition of lead abatement and specify which activities are exempt from regulatory requirements. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and nonprofit organizations by distinguishing between permanent lead hazard elimination and incidental paint removal during general repairs. The legislation explicitly exempts owner-occupied homes and small multifamily buildings from certain rules, while creating a specific exception for unpaid volunteer projects led by qualified nonprofit groups. Additionally, the bill repeals an outdated section of the law to ensure the regulations remain current and consistent with federal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5851 amends Michigan's Child Protection Law to update the official definitions of key terms used throughout the statute. The bill clarifies who is considered responsible for a child's welfare, including parents, guardians, and staff at licensed child care and foster care facilities. It also provides precise definitions for serious offenses such as confirmed sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and exposure to methamphetamine production. By standardizing these terms, the legislation aims to ensure consistent application of child protection rules across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires juveniles under state supervision who are convicted of specific sex-related offenses to provide DNA samples before being released from wardship. It applies to minors found responsible for crimes such as prostitution, soliciting minors for sexual acts, and indecent exposure, mandating that these samples be collected by juvenile agencies without the need for a court order or the juvenile's consent. The collected DNA profiles are restricted to law enforcement identification, judicial proceedings, and de-identified academic or research use, while a $60 assessment fee is imposed to cover the costs of processing and storing these samples.

Maddy summaryHB 5864 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to ensure that crimes involving prostitution are consistently classified as felonies rather than misdemeanors. This change directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants by requiring them to apply stricter sentencing standards for prostitution-related offenses. The bill removes previous language that allowed for the classification of these crimes as less serious felonies or misdemeanors, thereby standardizing how such cases are handled within the state's legal system.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal protections for individuals who voluntarily provide emergency bleeding control, such as using pressure, dressings, or tourniquets, to people in medical distress. It states that these individuals cannot be sued for damages resulting from their actions unless they act with gross negligence or willful misconduct. The law applies to anyone without a pre-existing duty to help who responds in good faith to an emergency situation. This change aims to encourage bystanders to assist with life-saving bleeding control measures without fear of civil liability.