Rep. Cynthia Neeley

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally honors Lillie Lester, the first woman and first Black woman to serve as a legislative sergeant-at-arms in the United States. It recognizes her significant contributions to the Michigan House of Representatives and her role in the civil rights movement, highlighting her career from a factory worker to a trusted advisor to lawmakers. The resolution acknowledges her legacy by noting her impact on the state legislature and her community, and it directs that copies of the document be sent to her family. This measure serves as an official record of appreciation rather than changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 4162 amends Michigan's penal code to adjust penalties for crimes involving the adulteration or improper mixing of drugs and medicines. The bill establishes specific sentencing guidelines based on the severity of the outcome, ranging from fines and short prison terms for minor violations to up to 15 years in prison if the actions result in death. A key provision modifies the application of life imprisonment without parole, excluding individuals who were under 19 years old at the time of the offense from facing that specific penalty. Instead, minors who commit these crimes with intent to kill or cause serious harm resulting in death face a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison. These changes directly affect how the state prosecutes and sentences offenders involved in distributing harmful pharmaceutical products.

Maddy summaryHB 4560 amends the Michigan penal code to update sentencing guidelines for specific crimes involving dangerous drugs, biological agents, and hazardous materials. The bill clarifies penalties based on the severity of outcomes, such as personal injury, serious impairment, or death, and explicitly allows for resentencing under existing laws for individuals currently serving life sentences without parole. By referencing specific sections of the penal code, the legislation ensures that current statutes align with potential future reviews of mandatory life sentences. Ultimately, the bill aims to refine how the state handles cases where hazardous substances cause harm, while preserving the possibility of reconsidering past convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 4559 amends the Michigan Public Health Code to update sentencing guidelines for crimes involving the sale or manufacture of drugs with misleading labels that result in death or serious injury. The bill clarifies that individuals convicted of these offenses under specific intent to kill or cause harm face mandatory life sentences without parole, but it explicitly exempts those cases from mandatory sentencing if they are subject to resentencing proceedings. This legislative change ensures that existing resentencing mechanisms can still be applied to individuals whose cases fall under these new provisions. The bill also includes a provision stating that this section does not prevent individuals from being charged with or punished for other laws violated during the same incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's corrections code to require the Department of Corrections to create standardized parole guidelines that help the parole board make objective, evidence-based release decisions. The new rules mandate that these guidelines consider specific factors such as the nature of the offense, institutional behavior, prior criminal history, and statistical risk assessments while prohibiting decisions based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Additionally, the legislation strictly limits the circumstances under which the parole board can deny parole to individuals who otherwise qualify for release, requiring written justification for any such departures. The bill also establishes a structured review schedule for prisoners denied parole and ensures that those denied based on incomplete programming receive a chance to complete it before being reconsidered.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Crime Victim's Rights Act to ensure that victims of crime receive specific notices regarding their rights during the resentencing of prisoners. It requires prosecutors to inform victims about their ability to submit impact statements detailing physical, emotional, and economic harm, as well as their views on restitution and sentencing. The legislation also mandates that victims be notified about the availability of pre-sentence reports and the details of upcoming sentencing hearings. Additionally, these notification requirements apply to cases involving juveniles, ensuring consistent treatment of victims across different types of criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's public health code to exclude individuals under the age of 19 from facing life imprisonment without parole for specific drug-related crimes. It targets the sale, manufacture, or possession of adulterated or misbranded drugs that result in death, particularly when the offender intended to kill or cause serious harm to two or more people. While adults committing these acts could previously face life sentences without the possibility of parole, this legislation ensures that minors convicted of the same offenses receive a fixed-term sentence ranging from 20 to 60 years instead. The law also maintains existing penalties for less severe violations and includes a tie-breaker provision requiring the simultaneous enactment of four related bills for this change to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates two specific stretches of Michigan highways as memorial roads to honor fallen law enforcement officers. It names a section of Interstate 75 in Saginaw County the "Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway" and a portion of M-53 in Macomb County the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway." The legislation also requires that signs for the M-53 memorial be placed at two specific intersections to mark the location. Additionally, the bill removes an existing section from the state's memorial highway act that is no longer needed for this designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's insurance laws to clarify which actions by insurance companies do not count as unfair trade practices like discrimination or rebating. It specifically exempts life insurance bonuses, premium adjustments based on group loss experience, and free or discounted value-added services that help with risk management, health, or financial wellness. The law requires that any such services be fair, reasonable in cost, and directly related to the insurance coverage while ensuring customers receive necessary contact information. Additionally, the bill grants the state director authority to create rules that protect consumer data privacy and prevent unfair discrimination in the implementation of these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6232 amends Michigan's tax administration laws to allow the Department of Treasury to share specific information found on state income tax returns with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services. This change enables the insurance department to access data relevant to insurance matters, such as details about life insurance policies or annuities held by taxpayers. The bill does not create new taxes or change tax rates but rather clarifies the conditions under which tax records can be disclosed to other state agencies for regulatory purposes.