Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryThis law updates the rules for who can serve on Michigan's state and county election canvassing boards. To be eligible, members must be registered voters who have taken an official oath of office and have never been convicted of specific election-related crimes. The bill defines these crimes to include various offenses such as perjury, voter intimidation, and certain felonies. Additionally, county board members cannot hold another elected public office while serving on the board. These changes take effect on April 2, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to create a program that offers extra reimbursement to public ground emergency medical transportation providers serving Medicaid recipients. To qualify, providers must be owned or operated by a government entity, such as a city, county, or fire authority, and be enrolled as Medicaid providers. The additional payments are calculated based on federal funding rules and are capped so that total reimbursement does not exceed the actual cost of the services provided. Participation in this supplemental reimbursement program is voluntary for eligible providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new crime to Michigan law that makes it a felony to threaten someone with releasing or creating sexually explicit images in order to force them to do something against their will. The law specifically targets individuals who use these threats to obtain sexual videos or other items of value, with penalties ranging from up to five years in prison for a first offense to up to twenty years for a third or subsequent offense. The punishment increases to a maximum of twenty-five years if the victim is a minor or vulnerable adult, or if the threat causes serious physical or mental harm or death. The legislation also clarifies what counts as sexually explicit material and defines vulnerable adults, while allowing courts to order behavioral health counseling for minors who commit this offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Energy Assistance Program to ensure low-income households receive financial help with energy bills. It mandates that the state department simplify the application process into a single form and requires assistance to prioritize vulnerable populations. The law also directs providers to offer services that help participants budget for energy costs and connect them with weatherization programs to reduce energy waste. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements, shifting the deadline for annual program distribution reports to March 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's rules for how public employers, such as state agencies and local governments, must fund health insurance for their employees and elected officials. It establishes specific dollar amounts that employers must contribute annually based on whether coverage is for a single person, a couple, or a family, with these amounts set to increase starting in 2025. The law also includes a mechanism for the state treasurer to automatically raise these contribution limits each year based on inflation data or a fixed percentage, whichever is higher. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these funding requirements do not apply to employees who decline the offered health plan or those covered by existing collective bargaining agreements until those contracts are updated.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to provide specific legal remedies for individuals who face housing discrimination based on their source of income. It allows people who believe they have been discriminated against to file a civil lawsuit in circuit court to seek injunctive relief or financial damages. The potential damages are capped at either the actual injury and loss suffered or three times the monthly rent, whichever is lower, and also cover court costs and attorney fees. This legislation only takes effect if it is passed together with two related Senate bills, SB 0205 and SB 0206.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the procedures for disposing of firearms seized by law enforcement in Michigan. It requires the State Police director to either auction the weapons to eligible buyers, destroy them, or use another lawful method approved by the director. Before taking action, the director must check if the gun was reported lost or stolen and give the owner 30 days to claim it, while also posting a public notice with the firearm's details. The legislation also grants the department immunity from lawsuits if they follow these disposal rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws by establishing specific time limits for filing indictments against individuals accused of various crimes. It directly affects prosecutors, victims, and defendants by clarifying when legal charges must be brought to court. The key provisions set a 25-year limit for certain sexual offenses, a 10-year limit for crimes like kidnapping and identity theft, and a 15-year limit for offenses involving real property fraud. Additionally, the law allows for indictments to be filed at any time if DNA evidence links an unidentified suspect to a crime, but requires charges to be filed within a set period once the suspect is identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to help prisoners obtain driver's licenses and state identification cards before they are released on parole or complete their sentences. The department must collect necessary documents and photos at least 60 days prior to release and forward them to the Secretary of State, while also informing inmates about this assistance upon entry into the system. To support these efforts, the legislation creates a dedicated "reentry success fund" to cover the costs of the program. The bill also allows the Secretary of State to access prisoner information electronically to verify identities during the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a person's source of income. It applies to landlords, property managers, and real estate brokers who sell, rent, or lease residential properties. By adding "source of income" to the list of protected categories, the legislation ensures that individuals cannot be denied housing or treated differently because of how they pay their rent, such as using housing vouchers. The law takes effect on April 2, 2025, provided that two companion bills are also enacted into law.