Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares July 2025 as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month in Michigan to raise public awareness about birth defects affecting the lip and mouth (cleft lip/palate). It does not create new laws, funding, or services but aims to highlight the needs of individuals and families affected by these conditions. The resolution cites that orofacial clefts impact 1-2 in 1,000 newborns and can cause feeding, speech, and health challenges requiring medical care. It was introduced and adopted by the Michigan House on July 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4742 amends Michigan's environmental permit process to address projects in communities disproportionately affected by pollution (environmentally overburdened communities). It adds a new section (Subpart 2) requiring state agencies to consider community impacts when denying permits or imposing additional conditions for such projects. The bill also repeals the Environmental Permit Review Commission, which previously reviewed permit decisions. This directly affects developers seeking permits in these communities and state agencies responsible for environmental permitting under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Maddy summaryHB 4741 modifies Michigan's property tax law by ending certain programs that reduced delinquent tax payments or prevented foreclosure. It adds a $175 fee for properties forfeited to county treasurers due to unpaid taxes (after 12+ months delinquent), changes interest calculations for residential properties under foreclosure avoidance agreements, and updates redemption rules. Homeowners with delinquent taxes, particularly those in residential properties covered by existing tax foreclosure avoidance agreements, will be directly affected by these changes. The bill sunsets specific programs that previously offered payment reductions, requiring property owners to pay full delinquent amounts plus fees to avoid losing their homes.

Maddy summaryHB 4685 requires Michigan health insurers to cover specific mental health services delivered through the psychiatric collaborative care model, directly affecting insurers offering mental health benefits and patients seeking these services. The bill mandates reimbursement for services using five designated billing codes (90844, 99492, 99493, 99494, G2214), which represent evidence-based integrated care for mental health and substance use disorders. Insurers may still deny coverage based on medical necessity only if they follow federal parity laws and utilization review rules. The law defines the "psychiatric collaborative care model" as an evidence-based service delivery method described in federal regulations (81 FR 80230). The bill does not alter existing coverage requirements beyond these specific codes.

Maddy summaryHB 4689 creates a Cultural History Advisory Board within Michigan's Department of Education. The board, appointed by the superintendent of public instruction, must include 2 members from each of 8 cultural communities (Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, Black, Middle Eastern/North African/Chaldean, Indigenous, Caribbean-American, Jewish-American, European-American), plus educators, school administrators, labor representatives, and higher education members. The board must recommend a K-12 curriculum tool kit and professional development on cultural history within two years, collaborating with cultural organizations and schools. This bill establishes the framework for developing educational resources but does not mandate specific curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4683 requires Michigan health insurers to cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatments (including inpatient, intermediate, and outpatient care) without restrictive prior authorization practices. It mandates that insurers use clinical review criteria aligned with generally accepted medical standards, rather than arbitrary rules, when evaluating these services. The bill also prohibits insurers from making mental health coverage terms less favorable than those for other medical treatments. This directly affects health insurers operating in Michigan and patients seeking mental health or substance use disorder care through their insurance plans.

Maddy summaryHB 4687 requires all Michigan public school districts and public school academies to incorporate one unit of age-appropriate Black history and one unit of Indigenous People history into their history curriculum starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates coverage of historical contributions, discriminatory policies, and civil rights advancements by these communities, while requiring instructional materials to align with state standards and include input from cultural centers and experts. Schools must ensure this instruction is inclusive for all students, including those with disabilities and English language learners, and avoid any bias or discrimination. The law allows flexibility for schools to integrate these units into existing lesson plans rather than creating new courses.

Maddy summaryHB 4684 requires Michigan health insurers to create and submit a plan ensuring coverage for a broad range of pain management services, including nonopioid medications and nonmedication alternatives to opioids. The plan must be filed with the state insurance department for approval, which will review whether the plan adequately covers alternatives to opioids without unduly favoring opioid prescriptions. Insurers must also distribute educational materials to network providers and post the plan on their public website. This bill directly affects all health insurers operating in Michigan who issue, deliver, or renew health insurance policies in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 requires Michigan public schools to provide cultural competency training for all educators and school staff starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The state must develop resources covering diversity, cultural identity, historic contributions of multiple cultural groups, and implicit bias (with expert input) by June 2027. Educators must complete this training as part of professional development, while non-educator staff must receive similar training but are exempt from history-focused content. This bill directly affects all public school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies in Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4675 requires Michigan's education department to develop and share a list of optional cursive handwriting instruction programs for public schools by June 2027. Starting in the 2026-2027 or 2027-2028 school year, school districts and public school academies are encouraged - but not required - to incorporate one of these model programs into their curriculum. The bill aims to support schools in meeting existing credit requirements under Michigan’s merit standards by offering cursive instruction as a voluntary option. It directly affects Michigan public schools by providing resources for optional handwriting education, without mandating changes to current standards.