Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryHB 5580 prohibits Michigan insurers from considering a dog's breed when making decisions about home insurance. It bans using breed to deny coverage, cancel policies, increase premiums, or add exclusions for residential properties like houses, apartments, or condos. Insurers may still use other underwriting factors unrelated to breed. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to residential property liability insurance policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5579, the "Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act," prohibits most employers from using automated decisions tools (like AI for hiring) or electronic monitoring tools (like tracking software) for employment decisions affecting employees or job applicants. Employers may only use these tools for specific, limited purposes, such as screening large applicant volumes for job skills or monitoring essential work functions, safety, or compliance. The bill requires employers to obtain written consent from workers, provide clear notice of monitoring, ensure data accuracy, and use tools in the least invasive way possible. It directly affects all Michigan employers and their employees/applicants, creating new rules for technology use in the workplace.

Maddy summaryHB 5587 creates a state grant program to fund community-based violence prevention initiatives in areas with high homicide rates. It establishes a "community violence intervention and prevention fund" to award grants to eligible local governments (e.g., cities or counties with 35+ homicides in 2 of 3 years) or community nonprofits with proven experience addressing violence. Grants must support evidence-based strategies focused on trauma care, economic opportunities, and reducing violence without increasing incarceration, with at least 75% of funds directed to community organizations - not law enforcement. The program requires grantees to report on outcomes and coordinate with other violence prevention efforts, and mandates annual reports on best practices from the administering office.

Maddy summaryHB 5543 increases the annual funding for grade crossing surface improvements from $3 million to $6 million per year by amending Section 10(1)(b) of Michigan's Transportation Fund Act (MCL 247.660). This change directs more state transportation funds toward safety and surface repairs at railroad crossings - locations where roads intersect train tracks - across Michigan. The bill specifically adjusts the allocation within the state trunk line fund, ensuring doubled resources for maintaining these critical infrastructure points. It does not alter other funding mechanisms but directly affects how money is distributed for grade crossing safety upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5554 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to strengthen protections against harassment in educational institutions. It directly affects public and private schools, colleges, and their students and staff by expanding the definition of harassment to explicitly include electronic communications (like texts or social media) and adding specific protections for students based on gender identity/expression and sexual orientation. Key mechanisms require educational institutions to prevent harassment that creates intimidating, hostile, or offensive environments, and clarify that discrimination includes harassment based on these protected characteristics. The bill updates existing provisions (Sec. 401-402) and adds new sections (402b-d) to ensure consistent enforcement of these protections.

Maddy summaryHB 5555 amends Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act to strengthen protections against disability-based harassment in educational settings. It directly affects public and private schools, colleges, and vocational programs (defined as "educational institutions" in the bill) by requiring them to prevent and address harassment of students or staff with disabilities. Key provisions include defining harassment as unwelcome conduct based on disability (including electronic communications), mandating comprehensive prevention policies, and requiring institutions to respond promptly when harassment occurs. The bill adds new sections (402a-c and 606a) that detail how schools must publicize policies, train staff, and remedy harassment, while clarifying that institutions must exercise "reasonable care" to prevent such incidents.

Maddy summaryHB 4279 would create a new apprenticeship program for Michigan National Guard members, allowing them to earn industry-recognized certifications while serving. The bill establishes a formal structure for training in high-demand fields like engineering and information technology, directly affecting Guard members seeking to build civilian career skills. Key provisions include requiring the Michigan National Guard to develop partnerships with employers and educational institutions to design the apprenticeships. The legislation is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 4402 requires Michigan's health department to create and distribute educational materials about cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can cause birth defects. The materials must cover CMV transmission, associated birth defects, diagnosis, prevention, and resources for parents of affected infants, and will target women who may become pregnant, expectant parents, parents of newborns, and healthcare providers. The bill also amends existing newborn screening laws to include CMV testing as part of routine infant screening, with results reported to parents and the health department. These changes aim to improve awareness and early detection of CMV infections during pregnancy and infancy.

Maddy summaryHB 5523 requires Michigan auto insurers to offer a premium discount to drivers aged 50 and older who complete a state-approved traffic safety course. Insurers must provide a 3-year discount after successful completion of either an 8-hour initial course or a 4-hour refresher course. The courses must cover aging effects on driving, road signs, medication impacts, safe driving practices, and crash prevention, taught by certified instructors. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate to apply for the discount.

Maddy summaryHB 5527 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for assaulting public officials while they are performing their duties, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Penalties range from up to 2 years in prison for basic assault to up to 20 years for causing death, based on the severity of harm (e.g., bodily injury requiring medical care or serious impairment of body function). The bill also adds a provision clarifying that attending a protest is protected under the First Amendment and does not by itself violate disorderly conduct laws.