Rep. Jaz Martus

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Public Library Freedom to Read Act, which creates new rules for how public libraries in Michigan select and remove books and other materials. It requires libraries to adopt written policies that outline their standards for choosing items and the specific steps they must follow when someone requests a book be reconsidered or removed. Under the new law, library directors have the final say on collection decisions, and requests for reconsideration are only reviewed if they come from residents of the library's local area and meet specific conditions, such as the requester having read the entire item. The act defines what counts as a library material and clarifies that it does not apply to websites, interlibrary loans, or programs not run by the library itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to clarify definitions and reporting requirements related to elevated blood lead levels in children. It establishes specific thresholds for what constitutes an elevated level, requiring that a child's blood lead concentration meet or exceed 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or the current reference value set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The legislation also creates a new role for certified "EBL investigators" who must study a child's living environment to identify lead sources and provide reports on how to remove those exposures. Additionally, the bill defines terms such as emergency renovation operations and encapsulation to ensure consistency in how lead hazards are managed. The law will only take effect if a separate, related bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Food Law by clarifying definitions for various food operations and adjusting licensing fees for different types of food businesses. It specifically revises terms such as "raw agricultural commodity," "retail grocery," and "temporary food establishment" to ensure consistent understanding across the state. The legislation also increases annual license fees for categories like retail groceries, food processors, and mobile food establishments, while setting new rates for services such as duplicate license reissuance and plan reviews. These changes directly impact food business owners, health departments, and the state's dairy and food safety fund.

Maddy summaryHB 5735 modifies Michigan's high school graduation requirements by updating the specific credits students must earn to receive a diploma. The bill mandates that graduates complete four math credits, three social science credits, and one credit in health, physical education, or arts, while also requiring two credits in a language other than English or equivalent coursework. Additionally, it introduces a new requirement for students entering eighth grade in 2023 to complete a half-credit personal finance course that can count toward math, arts, or language requirements. These changes apply to all public school districts and public school academies in the state, ensuring a standardized curriculum for graduation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the District Library Freedom to Read Act, establishes new rules for Michigan district libraries regarding how they select and remove books and other materials. It requires libraries to create formal policies that outline standards for collection choices and a specific process for handling requests to remove items. Under the new rules, only residents of the library's service area can request reconsideration, and they must certify that they have read or viewed the entire material before filing. Additionally, the bill designates the library director as the final authority on collection decisions and sets limits on how frequently the same item can be reviewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in consumer contracts. It mandates that any provision allowing a service or subscription to continue without explicit consumer consent must be prominently displayed within the agreement itself. The law directly affects businesses offering recurring services and consumers who sign up for such products, ensuring they are fully informed about how their subscriptions will renew. By adding a new section to the statute, the bill aims to prevent hidden fees and unexpected charges by making these renewal conditions transparent and easy to understand.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue from the state recreation passport fee, which is a charge added to vehicle registration for residents who use state parks and forests. The primary change adjusts the percentage of remaining funds allocated to state parks based on how many people purchased the passport in the previous year. If fewer than 55% of eligible residents bought a passport, a larger share of the leftover money goes to capital improvements and marketing, whereas a higher participation rate directs more funds toward general park operations and maintenance. Additionally, the bill updates the fixed dollar amounts for specific accounts to automatically increase with inflation and clarifies how the state estimates potential revenue from vehicle owners who are currently exempt from the fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Education to create and distribute informational notices about sextortion to school districts, academies, and their staff, students in grades 6 through 12, and parents. The notices must explain the legal definition of sextortion, include the relevant state law, and provide contact details for the state police office of school safety. Additionally, school boards are mandated to develop educational policies on the topic and hold at least one annual meeting to share free resources on sextortion from federal and national organizations. The legislation defines sextortion as a form of child sexual exploitation where an adult threatens to share a minor's nude or sexual image unless they provide more content, engage in sexual activity, or pay money.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention program aimed at protecting children and reducing exposure to lead-based paint. Key provisions require the department to develop educational materials for healthcare providers, schools, and parents, while also establishing a system to track blood lead test results and automatically notify local health officials when a child under three is found to have elevated levels. Upon receiving such a notification, the department must initiate contact with the child's doctor or local health department and ensure the child is referred to the Early On program for support. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing the number of children screened and diagnosed with high lead levels, as well as a financial accounting of the program's expenditures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from asking job applicants about their past wages, fringe benefits, credit scores, or credit history. It also bans employers from requiring employees to sign waivers that prevent them from sharing their salary information or from punishing workers who disclose their pay. By removing these restrictions, the legislation aims to prevent discrimination based on compensation history and financial records during the hiring process. The changes directly affect both current and prospective employees by limiting the types of questions employers can ask regarding financial details.