Rep. Donni Steele

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month for the state of Michigan. It aims to raise public awareness about child safety and encourages residents to learn the signs of abuse and engage in community support. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic declaration to honor advocates and promote a collective commitment to protecting children.

Maddy summaryHB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Mental Health Code to establish a formal mediation process for individuals receiving mental health services. It requires community mental health services programs to offer mediation to recipients, their representatives, or petitioners to resolve disputes regarding the planning and delivery of services. The state will fund and contract with mediation organizations to facilitate these processes. The bill sets timelines for mediation initiation and completion, with successful mediations resulting in legally binding agreements.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4412 proposes changes to Michigan's mental health code, primarily affecting procedures for involuntary mental health treatment and hospitalization. It revises the definition of a "person requiring treatment," clarifying criteria for individuals with mental illness who may pose a risk to themselves or others or are unable to meet basic needs. The bill modifies procedures for peace officers taking individuals into protective custody, requiring them to execute a hospitalization petition and ensuring examinations at preadmission screening units. It also updates requirements for psychiatric examinations within 24 hours of hospitalization and alters the testimony rules for hearings to determine if an individual requires treatment. These changes aim to refine the process for assessing, hospitalizing, and treating individuals with severe mental illness.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4414 establishes a process to divert individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses who have mental health issues into assisted outpatient treatment. This diversion can be initiated by motion from the prosecuting attorney, defendant, or defense counsel, and requires agreement from all parties to proceed. If diverted, a court can order assisted outpatient treatment for up to 180 days. The misdemeanor charges remain pending but are dismissed after 90 days (or 180 days for serious misdemeanors) once the treatment order is entered, and non-compliance with treatment is handled through civil proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 4388, the "Social Media Regulation Act," requires social media companies with at least 5 million global users to verify the age of Michigan residents applying for accounts and obtain explicit parental consent if the applicant is under 18. It directly affects minors in Michigan and major social media platforms, prohibiting account creation without age verification or parental consent for minors. The law excludes non-social media services like email, direct messaging, news sites, e-commerce, and school-specific platforms (e.g., learning management systems) from its requirements. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment, mandating social media companies to deny applications that fail these verification steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense for delivering Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substances (excluding marijuana) that causes serious injury. It defines "serious injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of body function (like a limb or eye), coma lasting over 3 days, or measurable brain impairment. Violators face life imprisonment or any prison term. The law applies to people who illegally provide these drugs when the substance causes harm to the user or others.

Maddy summaryHB 5158 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of delivering controlled substances that cause serious injury. It specifically amends sections of the criminal procedure code (MCL 750.72 et seq.) to modify sentencing ranges for these offenses. The bill directly affects people sentenced under these provisions, adjusting how courts determine penalties for drug-related injuries. The key change refines the sentencing framework without introducing new criminal penalties or altering the definition of the offense itself.

Maddy summaryHB 5706 amends Michigan's vehicle code to establish a reimbursement mechanism for local law enforcement agencies that assist with certain vehicle crashes. The bill creates a funding pathway where local police departments can receive financial support from the highway safety fund when they provide assistance at vehicle crash scenes. This provision directly affects local law enforcement agencies and the state highway safety fund, allowing for reimbursement of costs incurred during crash assistance operations. The bill is tied to companion legislation HB 5705 and requires both measures to be enacted together for the changes to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local police departments in Michigan to request reimbursement from the state police for expenses incurred when responding to incidents on state-owned freeways and highways. The reimbursement is only available if the state police did not have officers available to respond, explicitly requested the local agency to respond, and the local department created an official report of the incident. Local agencies must submit reimbursement requests quarterly, and the state police director will set annual reimbursement rates and report on the number of reimbursed responses by county and local government type.