Rep. Julie Brixie

Maddy summaryHB 4532 expands Michigan's assault laws to specifically protect health professionals and medical volunteers who are assaulted while performing job duties. The bill increases fines for such assaults from $500 to $1,000 (for non-patient offenders) and requires health facilities to post clear notices about this penalty. It excludes patients receiving treatment from the enhanced fine but still allows prosecution for patient assaults. This directly affects doctors, nurses, and volunteers working in healthcare settings during their professional duties.

Maddy summaryHB 4546 requires health insurers in Michigan providing prescription drug coverage to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects health insurance companies operating in Michigan that offer prescription drug benefits. The key provision mandates these insurers to follow specific cost and affordability review requirements already established under the Review Act. The bill is tied to companion legislation (HB 4544) and is currently pending in the House Committee on Government Operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4545 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects low-income residents enrolled in Michigan's medical assistance program by mandating adherence to state drug cost review requirements. The key provision adds Section 109o to Michigan's Social Welfare Act, making compliance with the drug cost review act a program requirement. The bill is conditional, stating it will not take effect unless companion legislation (HB 4544) is enacted into law. The bill was introduced on June 3, 2025, and referred to the Government Operations Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4533 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes involving assaults, battering, or endangering healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects healthcare workers who are victims of such attacks, as well as courts that determine sentences for offenders. It establishes new, separate sentencing guidelines under MCL 777.16d for these offenses, ensuring they are treated with appropriate severity distinct from general assault charges. This change creates a clear policy mechanism for judges to apply consistent, elevated penalties when healthcare workers are targeted.

Maddy summaryHB 4534 creates a diversion program allowing misdemeanor defendants with mental illness to receive outpatient treatment instead of criminal prosecution for certain offenses, including crimes against health professionals (MCL 750.81d). It requires a court assessment by a qualified health professional to determine eligibility, after which the defendant may be diverted into up to 90 days of outpatient treatment for standard misdemeanors or 180 days for "serious misdemeanors." Charges remain pending but must be dismissed 90 or 180 days after the treatment order, unless the defendant fails to comply with the treatment plan, which triggers civil proceedings under existing mental health code sections. The program directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor charges who meet clinical criteria for mental health treatment diversion.

Maddy summaryHB 4544 creates Michigan's Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Stakeholder Council to review and set price limits for prescription drugs. The Board will establish upper payment limits for brand-name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs, requiring manufacturers to justify price increases above the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects drug manufacturers, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and patients by limiting how much they can charge for covered medications. The law aims to improve drug affordability through state oversight, with the Board required to conduct annual reviews and set rules for pricing.

Maddy summaryHB 4535 amends Michigan's mental health court eligibility rules under the Revised Judicature Act. It clarifies that admission to mental health court is discretionary (not a right), excludes individuals charged with or convicted of first-degree murder, sexual assault, or child abuse, and expands eligibility for those in youth programs or with deferred prosecutions. The bill requires courts to conduct mandatory screenings covering criminal history, risk assessment, mental health evaluation, and special needs before admission. All screening information remains confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions, except for unrelated criminal acts. This directly affects individuals facing eligible charges and courts determining program participation.

Maddy summaryHB 4520, the "hunger-free campus act," creates a program to designate Michigan college and university campuses as "hunger-free" if they meet specific requirements. It directly affects all public and private institutions of higher education in Michigan, including tribal colleges, by requiring them to establish student-administration task forces, provide SNAP enrollment assistance, ensure access to food pantries or stigma-free food options, and hold hunger awareness events. The bill mandates annual student surveys on food insecurity and requires campuses to develop meal credit donation programs or free food vouchers. The program aims to address student hunger through concrete campus-level actions and partnerships, with the state department overseeing implementation and reporting.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4519 designates the stonefly (Pteronarcys sp.) as the official insect of the state of Michigan. This bill creates a new act solely for this symbolic purpose.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 115 is a resolution from the Michigan House of Representatives that urges the President and the United States Congress to fully fund Medicaid. It also calls on federal officials to reject any proposals that would reduce access to care or shift costs onto states, healthcare providers, and vulnerable individuals.