Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryHB 5052 allows children with severe allergies to carry and use epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) at children's camps under specific conditions. It directly affects minors with anaphylaxis, their parents/guardians, and camp staff. The bill requires written approval from a child's physician and parent/guardian, a camp director's verification of these approvals, and a written emergency care plan developed by a physician. It also provides legal immunity for camps that follow these protocols when allowing or denying use of the medication.

Maddy summaryHB 5439 creates the "Homeless Advocacy Fund" within Michigan's Department of Treasury, funded by money from the state's individual income tax system (specifically Section 435 of the 1967 Income Tax Act). The fund will provide annual support to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for programs, policy improvements, and direct services aimed at ending homelessness. All money in the fund must be used solely for this purpose, with unspent funds rolling over each year instead of expiring. The bill requires companion legislation (HB 5440) to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5440 would allow Michigan taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $5 or more from their state income tax refund to a new "homeless advocacy fund" starting with the 2026 tax year. The bill amends the tax code to add this specific checkoff option on income tax forms, alongside existing charitable designations like the Children's Trust Fund. Funds designated for this new fund would be distributed directly to homelessness services, with the requirement that the fund must raise at least $50,000 annually to remain on the tax form. This change affects all Michigan taxpayers who file individual income tax returns and choose to allocate a portion of their refund to this new cause.

Maddy summaryHB 4666 removes the outdated and offensive term "colored persons" from Michigan's life insurance anti-discrimination law (MCL 500.2082). The bill updates the language while preserving the existing prohibition against life insurers charging higher premiums, offering worse terms, or imposing different conditions based on race or color for Black people or other individuals. This affects all life insurance companies operating in Michigan, ensuring their policies and practices comply with current anti-discrimination standards. The change corrects historical language without altering the law's substance, which has long protected policyholders from racial bias.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's state ID card law (MCL 28.292) to eliminate fees for certain minors applying for official state personal identification cards. The bill primarily focuses on updating what information must appear on ID cards, including requirements for organ donor registry indicators, veteran designations, and security features. It specifies that ID cards for individuals under 21 must be portrait/vertical in format, while those for 21+ must be landscape/horizontal. The bill text provided does not include the fee elimination provision referenced in the title, so the specific fee change cannot be verified from this excerpt. (Note: The bill's title claims fee elimination for minors, but the provided text details ID card content requirements, not fee structure.)

Maddy summaryHB 5400 extends the expiration date for existing exemptions under Michigan's Residential Housing Facilities Act from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2037. This bill directly affects residential housing facilities that currently hold exemptions under the act, allowing them to maintain their status until their specific certificate expires. The key change is amending Section 16 of the law to prevent new exemptions after 2037 while ensuring current exemptions remain valid until their individual expiration dates. The bill makes no changes to new exemption applications but provides additional time for facilities already operating under existing exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 5402 requires restaurants and food service establishments in Michigan to provide written notices about major food allergens (as defined by the FDA) in unpackaged foods. The bill mandates that these notices must list specific allergens present in each menu item and can be delivered through menus, table tents, digital displays, or other written formats. It directly affects restaurants and similar businesses by adding a new disclosure requirement for allergen information. The law aims to improve consumer safety by ensuring clear allergen communication before purchase or service.

Maddy summaryHB 5401 extends the deadline for granting new exemptions under Michigan's Attainable Housing Facilities Act from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2037. This directly affects developers and property owners seeking new exemptions for affordable housing projects under the Act. Existing exemptions granted before the new deadline will continue until their certificate expires, ensuring no disruption to ongoing projects. The bill amends Section 16 of the 2022 Attainable Housing Facilities Act (MCL 207.916) to update the sunset provision.

Maddy summaryHB 5421 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to create a new exception allowing victims of stalking to qualify for benefits if they leave employment due to stalking. Currently, an exception exists for domestic violence victims under Section 29(a)(iv), but this bill replaces "domestic violence" with "stalking" in that provision. The change means individuals who leave jobs to escape stalking would no longer be disqualified from benefits, directly affecting stalking victims who might otherwise lose unemployment eligibility. This policy update modifies the disqualification rule without altering other existing provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5389 modifies how Michigan manages state funds for specific projects (called "work projects"). It requires that such projects must have a clear purpose, specific plan, estimated cost, and completion date to qualify. The bill also changes the timeframe for unused funds to expire (48 months after the fiscal year ends) and gives the director authority to propose lapsing project accounts, but requires both legislative committees to disapprove such proposals within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates annual reports to committees detailing all active work project accounts, their balances, and any funds that lapsed.