Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryHB 5190 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act (MCL 418.319) to improve vocational rehabilitation services for injured workers. It requires face-to-face evaluations by approved providers, mandates detailed individualized rehabilitation plans based on a six-step return-to-work hierarchy (including same job, modified work, or new employment), and limits vocational training to 52 weeks (with possible 52-week extension). The bill ensures services are tailored to an employee's qualifications and includes provisions for transportation costs during rehabilitation. Refusal to accept approved vocational rehab may result in reduced compensation, while workers can appeal director decisions to the Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Appellate Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 5186 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to increase weekly wage replacement benefits for totally disabled workers from 80% to 90% of their after-tax average weekly wage, subject to the maximum rate in Section 355. It clarifies that mental disabilities are compensable if work significantly contributes to or aggravates them, and defines "wage earning capacity" to include jobs within an injured worker's transferable skills. The bill shifts the burden to employers to refute an employee's initial disability claim after the employee demonstrates eligibility through evidence of job qualifications and work limitations. This directly affects injured workers seeking compensation and Michigan employers who pay these benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 5179 amends Michigan's worker's compensation law to expand the conclusive presumption of dependency to include certain individuals, meaning these people will automatically qualify for death benefits without needing to prove dependency. The bill modifies specific sections (321, 331, 335, 345, and 356) of the 1969 Worker's Disability Compensation Act (MCL 418.321 et seq.). This change directly affects families of workers who die from work-related injuries by broadening eligibility for death benefits to cover additional dependents. The bill does not alter benefit amounts but simplifies access to death benefits for the newly included groups.

Maddy summaryHB 5185 modifies Michigan's worker's compensation law to clarify job search requirements for injured workers. It presumes a good-faith job search effort if an injured worker is employed by their current employer (with accommodations), submits two or more job applications, or works full-time. The bill also exempts workers from seeking employment if a doctor states it risks health, interferes with treatment, or if they're already employed (with evidence of potential benefit loss), during public health emergencies, or for other valid reasons. A job is only considered "reasonably available" if the worker receives a genuine job offer. This change directly affects injured workers receiving compensation and aims to balance their job search obligations with medical and employment realities.

Maddy summaryHB 5178 modifies Michigan's worker's compensation law to clarify when injured workers can sue their employers beyond standard benefits. It specifies that an employer's intentional harm (e.g., deliberately causing injury or ignoring known safety risks) or serious violations of safety laws (under the Michigan OSHA Act) allow workers to seek additional compensation. If safety violations cause injury, weekly compensation payments must increase by 100%. This directly affects injured workers and employers who fail to comply with safety regulations, while maintaining worker's compensation as the primary remedy for most workplace injuries.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to clarify when employers or insurance carriers can recoup overpaid benefits to injured workers. It limits recoupment to benefits paid within the past year and requires carriers to prove specific conditions (like employee concealment of earnings or clerical errors) before demanding repayment. The bill also caps recoupment at 50% of weekly benefits for clerical errors and prohibits recoupment if employers unreasonably change their position on a worker's disability. Magistrates may waive recoupment if it causes undue harm to the injured worker.

Maddy summaryHB 5181 requires mediation for specific worker's compensation claims before they proceed to formal hearings. It applies directly to workers filing claims for medical benefits only, claims where the worker has returned to work, or claims without an attorney, as well as cases the agency identifies as suitable for mediation. The bill mandates that the agency schedules mediation meetings, provides claimants with clear benefit estimates, and explains their rights before the session. Unresolved claims under $10,000 must go to a small claims division, while larger claims go to a magistrate. Failure to participate in required mediation prevents a party from moving forward with their claim.

Maddy summaryHB 5182 amends Michigan's worker compensation law to clarify injured workers' access to medical care. It requires employers to provide payment for treatment from a worker's chosen doctor within 10 days of notice, or face a $100 daily penalty (capped at $25,000). The bill also establishes a preauthorization process for medical treatments, requiring employers to respond to requests within 10 business days or risk delays in care. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking medical treatment and employers/carriers responsible for covering costs under the law.

Maddy summaryHB 5177 expands Michigan's workers' compensation coverage to include specific volunteer roles by amending the definition of "employee" in the Worker's Disability Compensation Act. It directly affects on-call members of volunteer underwater diving teams, safety patrol officers (including school volunteers), volunteer civil defense workers, and on-call members of life support agencies who are injured while performing duties - whether paid or unpaid. The bill ensures these volunteers receive full workers' compensation benefits, including wage replacement calculated using the state average weekly wage at the time of injury. This change extends existing protections to these volunteer groups without altering their status as non-employees under other laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Trump administration and USDA to use existing emergency funds to continue SNAP food assistance benefits for 42 million Americans who would lose them on November 1 if the federal government remains shut down. It directly affects low-income households, including 1.4 million Michiganders, who rely on SNAP to afford food and other essentials. The bill cites prior government practice and GAO confirmation that contingency funds can legally cover SNAP benefits during shutdowns, as was done for the WIC program. The resolution formally requests this action to prevent a disruption in critical food support.