Rep. Sharon MacDonell

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new legal definition for "vulnerable transportation device" to the Michigan Vehicle Code. It classifies human-powered vehicles, electric bikes, electric skateboards, and electric personal assistive mobility devices as vulnerable transportation devices. The law is designed to work in conjunction with related bills that establish traffic rules for these vehicles. If the other linked bills are not passed, this specific definition will not take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's criminal code to increase penalties for moving violations that result in physical injury or death to vulnerable roadway users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. It specifically raises the severity of charges and potential prison sentences for accidents occurring in work zones or school bus areas, as well as for incidents involving operators of farm equipment. The legislation requires the simultaneous passage of three companion bills to take effect, ensuring a coordinated approach to strengthening accountability for traffic offenses involving vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover telemedicine services at the same level as in-person visits, ensuring patients do not face higher costs or reduced benefits for remote care. Under the new rules, insurers cannot mandate face-to-face contact for services that are clinically appropriate to deliver via secure audio or video technology, provided the healthcare professional is licensed in the patient's state. The law applies to all health insurance policies delivered or renewed in Michigan and defines telemedicine as remote communication using interactive audio, video, or store-and-forward messaging systems. While insurers retain the right to set standard copayments and deductibles, they must allow coverage for telemedicine without requiring physical examinations unless specifically needed for clinical safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It mandates that insurers cannot deny coverage for remote care if the service is appropriate and provided by a licensed professional in the patient's state. The law defines telemedicine as remote communication using secure audio or video technology or online messaging. While patients still pay the same copays and deductibles as they would for a physical appointment, the insurance coverage itself must be equal to that of face-to-face care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients who use remote medical services by ensuring financial parity between virtual and physical appointments. The legislation does not alter existing rules about where telehealth can be conducted or who must verify patient eligibility, but it specifically mandates equal payment rates for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs to expand coverage for telemedicine services, specifically clarifying that visits originating from a patient's home or school are covered. It defines a "distant site" as the location of the healthcare professional providing the service, allowing for both audio-only and video interactions. The legislation requires providers to verify patient eligibility, ensure a private environment for the visit, and follow clinical guidelines while prohibiting restrictions on reimbursement rates or technology that are more strict than those for in-person care. Additionally, it ensures that services delivered through federally qualified health centers are eligible for reimbursement and mandates that managed care programs include these telemedicine services in their rate development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to assign a unique identifier to every individual who holds or applies for a law enforcement license, allowing them to track their licensure status throughout their career. It also mandates that applicants for specific training academies submit fingerprints for criminal history checks, which will be stored in state and federal automated systems to automatically flag any future criminal records. The legislation further establishes a dedicated training fund to cover the costs of screening, testing, and licensing, ensuring these expenses are reimbursed through fees charged to applicants and licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in Michigan to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. The law specifically mandates that these plans include coverage for therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin. It applies to all health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, as well as those issued outside the state for Michigan residents. The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Mental Health Code to officially include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists in the legal definition of mental health professionals. By amending multiple sections of the existing law, the legislation allows these advanced practice providers to perform certain examinations and deliver services that were previously restricted to other types of licensed clinicians. The change directly affects mental health service providers, patients, and the regulatory framework governing who can deliver care under the state's mental health system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide more detailed annual reports on its economic development activities to state officials and the public. The key provision mandates that these reports include specific data on every project, such as the number of jobs created or retained, the average salaries of those positions, and the total amount of financial assistance given. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements to immediately notify legislative leaders if a recipient of significant funding files for bankruptcy and to include specific financial metrics for recent investment programs. These changes aim to increase transparency by ensuring the public can see exactly how state funds are used and what results they produce.