Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryHB 6042 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The legislation specifically includes funding for the Macomb County interceptor, a project aimed at managing wastewater or stormwater in that region. It also provides financial support to various state departments, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch. The bill sets conditions on how these funds can be spent and was introduced by Representative Denise Mentzer in June 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes declaring June 2026 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month throughout the state of Michigan. It aims to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of LGBTQ+ residents while commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The resolution encourages all Michiganders to acknowledge the value of diversity and the specific roles LGBTQ+ individuals play in the state's economy and communities.

Maddy summaryHB 4940 updates Michigan's rules for managing funds used to clean up leaks from underground storage tanks, primarily affecting gas station owners and other tank operators. The bill modifies specific sections of the 1994 environmental law to adjust how corrective action funds are administered, including reporting requirements and fund allocation procedures. It also repeals an outdated section (21510c) related to the fund. These changes aim to streamline the cleanup process without altering the core environmental protections for tank sites.

Maddy summaryHB 4865 requires baby food manufacturers in Michigan to test each product lot for heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) starting January 1, 2026. Manufacturers must use accredited labs to test samples to a minimum sensitivity of 6 micrograms per kilogram and report results to the state. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers must post test results online via webpages and include QR codes on product labels linking to this information. Products exceeding safety limits must be recalled or disposed of, directly affecting baby food producers and increasing transparency for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes renaming a specific section of Interstate 75 in Wayne County to honor Motor Carrier Officer Daniel M. Kerstetter. The designated stretch of road runs from Northline Road northward to London Avenue. By amending the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation formally establishes this new name for the roadway. The change directly affects the state's transportation records and signage along that portion of the highway.

Maddy summaryHB 6021 amends Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to update rules for licensing, fees, and enforcement across various trades. The bill clarifies that the state department must set specific fees for licenses and permits and introduces a mechanism for issuing license verification documents upon request. It also establishes stricter penalties for unlicensed practice, including higher fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders, while adding provisions to stop illegal construction immediately. Additionally, the legislation increases application fees to three times the standard amount for individuals previously convicted of license violations and imposes a three-year ban on reapplying for those who fraudulently use license cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan health insurers and health maintenance organizations to offer a program that synchronizes multiple maintenance prescription drugs for patients with chronic long-term conditions, provided the patient, physician, and pharmacist agree it is in the patient's best interest. The law mandates that if a step therapy protocol is used to restrict drug coverage, the criteria for these protocols must be based on high-quality clinical practice guidelines developed by an unbiased, multidisciplinary panel that includes public review opportunities. Additionally, the bill establishes specific conditions under which a step therapy exception must be granted quickly, such as when a drug is contraindicated, ineffective, or causes harm, and it ensures that all relevant clinical review criteria are transparently available to patients and healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryHB 5480, known as the "Natalia Moore Law," allows parents to transfer children to another school district if the child experiences bullying at their current school. To qualify, parents must provide documented bullying incidents, proof of reporting to school staff, and evidence that prior interventions failed. The receiving district must accept the transfer and share academic records within 7 days, while the child’s original district cannot charge tuition for such transfers under the amended school code. This law directly affects students experiencing bullying and their families seeking safer school environments.

Maddy summaryHB 4696 amends Michigan's Guardianship Assistance Act (MCL 722.872) to expand the definition of "relative" for eligibility purposes. The bill adds that a "relative" may include individuals not related within the fifth degree by blood or marriage if they have a strong emotional connection to the child or the child's parent (especially for infants), as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services or the child's tribe for Indian children. This change directly affects foster youth and potential guardians seeking guardianship assistance payments by broadening who qualifies as a "relative" under the law. The amendment is tied to companion bill HB 4697 and would take effect only if both bills pass.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Guardianship Assistance Act to clarify eligibility for state-funded guardianship payments. It specifies that relatives or licensed foster parents caring for a child for at least six months may qualify, requiring background checks and fingerprinting for all adults in the home. The bill distinguishes between federal IV-E funding (for children meeting specific federal criteria) and state funding for other eligible children. It also ensures siblings placed together in a relative guardianship can each receive payments if they meet the criteria. The policy directly affects guardians caring for children in relative or foster care arrangements.