Rep. Brian BeGole

Maddy summaryHB 5489 would allow 17-year-olds to apply for medical first responder and emergency medical technician (EMT) licenses in Michigan, provided their application includes parental or guardian consent. It maintains an 18-year-old minimum for higher-level roles like paramedics, emergency medical services instructors, or EMT specialists. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to establish these age requirements for EMS licensure, directly affecting young individuals seeking entry into emergency medical careers. This change requires the concurrent passage of HB 5488 to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5491 requires that pat-down searches of visitors and strip searches of prisoners in Michigan state correctional facilities be conducted by staff of the same biological sex as the person being searched. This directly affects visitors to prisons and incarcerated individuals. The bill defines "biological sex" as sex characteristics present at birth (including chromosomes, hormones, and genitalia), excluding gender identity or self-identification. Visitors may opt out of the same-sex requirement by signing a waiver, but strip searches of prisoners must always follow the same-sex rule.

Maddy summaryHB 5488 lowers the minimum age requirement for licensure as a medical first responder or emergency medical technician (EMT) in Michigan from 18 to 17 years old. It amends Section 20950 of the Public Health Code (MCL 333.20950), specifically changing the age requirement in subsection (2)(a) from "18 years of age or older" to allow 17-year-olds to apply. The bill does not alter other licensing requirements, such as education programs, passing exams administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or military service pathways. This change directly affects 17-year-olds seeking these emergency medical services roles who previously could not obtain licensure until age 18.

Maddy summaryHB 5315 amends Michigan law to clarify when the Attorney General must intervene in court cases involving the state. It changes Section 28 of the Revised Statutes to require the Attorney General to intervene in state court cases when specifically requested by the Governor or either legislative chamber, rather than having discretion. This directly affects the Attorney General's office and state entities involved in civil or criminal cases where the state has an interest. The bill modifies existing procedure by making intervention mandatory upon request, streamlining the process for state representation in court. (Procedural bill; summary concise per guidelines.)

Maddy summaryHB 4734 expands who can legally consent to medical treatment for patients unable to make decisions themselves. It adds "designated surrogates" (people formally appointed under Michigan's Estates Code) to the list of authorized decision-makers, alongside relatives, patient advocates, and guardians. This directly affects patients without decision-making capacity, healthcare providers needing consent, and the individuals authorized to act for them. The bill clarifies that emergency care can still be provided without consent during urgent situations requiring immediate action.

Maddy summaryHB 4418 updates Michigan's probate law to clarify how patients can designate a healthcare surrogate when they cannot make decisions themselves. It adds a new process for formally naming a surrogate (replacing the previous method) and removes an outdated section from older law. This directly affects patients without existing advance directives and their families by providing a clearer, more modern way to appoint someone to make medical decisions for them.

Maddy summaryHB 4419 adds legal protections to Michigan's health care decision-making framework. It shields health care providers and facilities from liability when following decisions made by a legally designated patient surrogate or advocate, as long as they act in good faith. The bill also protects surrogates and advocates from liability for good-faith health care decisions they make. Providers who intentionally violate these rules face minimum damages of $1,000, while those who falsify or tamper with a patient's health care directive designation face minimum damages of $2,500. This directly affects patients with advance directives, their designated surrogates, and medical providers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares January 25-31, 2026, as Catholic Schools Week in Michigan. It symbolically recognizes Catholic schools' role in the state, highlighting their enrollment (50,421 students across 207 schools), compliance with public school regulations, and contributions to community values. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or change policies - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment supporting Catholic schools' educational and community impact.

Maddy summaryHB 5314 repeals a specific section (MCL 14.102) from an old 1919 law that required certain lawsuits brought by the Michigan Attorney General on behalf of the state to be filed in Ingham County circuit court. This procedural change eliminates the requirement for those cases to be filed in a specific county, allowing the Attorney General to file such lawsuits in appropriate courts as needed. The bill does not create new legal requirements or affect who can bring lawsuits; it only removes a historical jurisdictional rule. This is a straightforward procedural update with no direct impact on public employees, officers, or state operations.