Rep. Alicia St. Germaine

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6315 amends the state's employment security act to clarify the powers of the unemployment insurance agency when investigating employers. The primary provision prohibits the agency from requiring an employing unit to provide books, records, or papers in a different format than how they currently exist, effectively limiting administrative burdens on businesses. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and stylistic edits to existing sections regarding subpoenas, witness testimony, and court enforcement procedures to improve clarity without changing their substantive legal effect.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6302 amends the state's school code to require public school districts to display a United States flag in every classroom or instructional site where students recite the pledge of allegiance. The bill specifies that this flag must be prominently placed using a stand, post, or by being draped or hoisted within the room. This requirement supplements existing rules that mandate a larger flag be displayed on the exterior of school buildings during school hours, except in inclement weather when it must be moved indoors.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6316 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to electronically access databases from various state and federal departments, including health, corrections, and social security agencies. The bill mandates that agency representatives verify a claimant's job status, incarceration status, death records, identity, and income before issuing benefits and at regular intervals while benefits are active. To protect sensitive information, the legislation requires the implementation of strict data security measures such as encryption and access logging. Additionally, the agency must submit an annual report to legislative appropriations committees detailing detected fraud, estimated cost savings, and any challenges encountered during the implementation process.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6276 amends the state's corrections code to modify parole eligibility for specific serious crimes. The bill establishes a minimum five-year parole period for offenses including murder, actual forcible rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and nighttime breaking and entering of an occupied dwelling, unless the remaining sentence is shorter than that timeframe. Additionally, it mandates that prisoners sentenced under specific provisions of the Michigan penal code must receive life parole rather than a fixed-term release.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6287 modifies the state's public health code to streamline how new birth certificates are issued for individuals who have undergone adoptions, established parentage through assisted reproduction, or requested a change in their sex designation. The bill specifies that the state registrar must issue a new certificate when presented with specific legal documents, such as adoption reports or court orders, and restricts additional documentation requirements for sex designation changes to a signed form and any applicable name change order. It also updates procedures for handling name changes on birth records, distinguishing between cases where an addendum is sufficient versus those requiring a completely new certificate. Additionally, the legislation revises fee structures for vital record searches and corrections, introducing specific charges for various services while providing free copies to veterans seeking benefits, licensed child placing agencies, and individuals who can verify their homeless status through designated federal documentation.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6314 updates the state's unemployment security laws to explicitly include digital and electronic fraud in its definition of conspiracy. The bill targets employers, employees, and third parties who knowingly use stolen personal information or automated means to illegally obtain or withhold unemployment benefits. It establishes that offenders face financial penalties equal to three times the amount involved, along with potential imprisonment of up to five years or community service depending on the severity of the loss. These criminal sanctions apply even if the fraud is attempted but does not result in a final payment, and they remain enforceable regardless of whether the individual later repays the funds or self-reports the violation.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6313 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative leaders regarding shared-work plans. The report must include specific data on the number of approved plans, participating employers and employees, and total compensation paid. A key addition is the requirement to disclose the benefit error rate for these claims, which includes improper, overpayment, and underpayment rates. This reporting must align with federal standards and may also detail statewide trends and corrective actions taken by the agency.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6312 requires the state unemployment insurance agency to maintain digital copies of claimants' original applications and certifications for at least seven years, with each file including a time stamp indicating when it was received. The bill allows these records to be accessed by the claimant, their representative, the auditor general, or legislators specifically for administrative hearings, audits, or legislative oversight. To protect privacy, the digital images must be stored securely using encryption and access restrictions in line with state data security standards. Additionally, the agency must perform an annual audit of this retention system and report the results to legislative leadership, facing a $5,000 monthly fine if it fails to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6311 amends the state's unemployment insurance laws to establish specific deadlines and content requirements for notifying claimants and employers about benefit determinations. The bill mandates that the unemployment agency must notify affected parties within 14 days of a decision, providing details on the reasons for the ruling, the facts relied upon, and instructions for filing an appeal. It also allows for electronic delivery of these notices if the claimant has consented or used the agency's online portal, while requiring mailed copies if electronic delivery fails. Additionally, the legislation requires the agency to send written notifications regarding claimant rights and responsibilities within two weeks and six months after initial benefit payments are issued.