Rep. Jennifer Conlin

Maddy summaryThis law updates the rules for who can serve on Michigan's state and county election canvassing boards. To be eligible, members must be registered voters who have taken an official oath of office and have never been convicted of specific election-related crimes. The bill defines these crimes to include various offenses such as perjury, voter intimidation, and certain felonies. Additionally, county board members cannot hold another elected public office while serving on the board. These changes take effect on April 2, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law requires Michigan public school academies to make detailed information about their operations and finances publicly available, similar to the requirements for traditional school districts. Specifically, the bill mandates that these academies disclose data such as board member lists, meeting minutes, budgets, teacher salaries, and copies of major contracts and facility leases. Additionally, it sets specific criteria for authorizing bodies to consider when awarding contracts to new urban high school academies, including requirements for financial stability and plans to improve graduation rates. The legislation also outlines strict rules for contracts, including annual independent financial audits and prohibitions on certain family relationships among board members and company officials.

Maddy summaryThis law requires public school academy operators to display specific information on their signage, advertising, and promotional materials. The bill mandates that these materials clearly identify the authorizing body, the board of directors, and the contract term, ensuring transparency for the public. It also updates the rules for how contracts are awarded and renewed, emphasizing improved academic achievement for all student groups as the primary factor for renewal. Additionally, the legislation establishes a process allowing school voters to approve or reject academy contracts if a school district board refuses to issue one. Finally, it sets new requirements for the board of directors, including a mandate that all members must be U.S. citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to create a program that offers extra reimbursement to public ground emergency medical transportation providers serving Medicaid recipients. To qualify, providers must be owned or operated by a government entity, such as a city, county, or fire authority, and be enrolled as Medicaid providers. The additional payments are calculated based on federal funding rules and are capped so that total reimbursement does not exceed the actual cost of the services provided. Participation in this supplemental reimbursement program is voluntary for eligible providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and nonpublic schools in Michigan to adopt and implement a standardized plan for response terminology starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates that school boards and directors use consistent language when communicating about safety incidents to ensure clarity across the education system. However, the bill does not take effect unless it is passed together with a companion bill, HB 4096.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed the deadlines for filing petitions to place constitutional amendments, new laws, or laws to be repealed on the ballot. It requires petitioners to submit their signatures 160 days before an election for amendments and 200 days before an election for new laws, while also setting a filing limit for repeal petitions. Additionally, the bill would have required petitioners to sort signatures by congressional district and provide a written estimate of how many signatures come from each district. Because the bill was vetoed by the Governor, these changes were not enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new crime to Michigan law that makes it a felony to threaten someone with releasing or creating sexually explicit images in order to force them to do something against their will. The law specifically targets individuals who use these threats to obtain sexual videos or other items of value, with penalties ranging from up to five years in prison for a first offense to up to twenty years for a third or subsequent offense. The punishment increases to a maximum of twenty-five years if the victim is a minor or vulnerable adult, or if the threat causes serious physical or mental harm or death. The legislation also clarifies what counts as sexually explicit material and defines vulnerable adults, while allowing courts to order behavioral health counseling for minors who commit this offense.

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 law requires every public high school in Michigan to offer at least one computer science course starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The courses must meet state educational standards and be listed on the school's catalog, with a preference for in-person instruction unless a school operates entirely virtually. The legislation defines computer science as a field focused on creating new technologies rather than just using them, ensuring the curriculum covers principles, design, and societal impact.

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.