Rep. Kara Hope

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan judges and other court staff involved in child custody cases to undergo specific training on recognizing and responding to domestic violence and child abuse. The training must include at least 20 initial hours and 15 additional hours every five years, covering topics such as various forms of abuse, trauma, implicit bias, and the dynamics of coercive control. A key provision mandates that all training content be based on evidence-based research and explicitly defines certain terms like "DARVO" to ensure clarity. Ultimately, the legislation aims to improve custody decisions by prioritizing the safety and well-being of children through better-informed court personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 6012 prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from denying, canceling, or raising premiums on residential property liability policies based solely on the breed or mix of dogs owned by the policyholder. The bill also bans insurers from asking about or investigating specific dog breeds when underwriting these policies. While the law restricts breed-based decisions, it allows insurers to continue adjusting rates or coverage based on other standard underwriting factors unrelated to dog breeds. This change applies to all residential property liability insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain types of income and deductions are calculated for individual taxpayers. It specifically adjusts the definition of taxable income by adding back interest from out-of-state bonds and taxes paid to other jurisdictions while simultaneously allowing deductions for military retirement benefits, Social Security, and contributions to state education tuition programs. The legislation also updates the maximum deduction limits for other retirement and pension income, ensuring these amounts are adjusted annually based on inflation. These changes directly affect Michigan residents filing state income tax returns by modifying the final amount of income subject to taxation.

Maddy summaryHB 5583 amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to give the Secretary of State the authority to apply to the Ingham County circuit court for injunctive relief when a complaint alleges a violation of campaign finance rules. The bill establishes a formal process for citizens to file complaints against individuals or committees, requiring the Secretary of State to notify the accused party and allow for written responses and rebuttals before any legal action is taken. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the standards for waiving late filing fees due to specific hardships and sets strict timelines for the Secretary of State to issue rulings on requests for legal interpretations. This measure is designed to provide a structured mechanism for enforcing campaign finance laws while ensuring due process for those accused of violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Secure Retirement Savings Program to help private-sector employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions. It creates a new oversight board and a separate trust fund to manage individual retirement accounts for enrolled workers, ensuring the money remains distinct from state funds. Employers that do not currently offer qualified retirement plans are required to participate by allowing employees to make automatic contributions from their paychecks. The legislation also sets up a separate administrative fund to cover the program's operational costs and defines the specific duties of the state officials who will run the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's governmental immunity laws to clarify when public employees and agencies are protected from lawsuits for injuries or property damage. It maintains broad immunity for officials acting within their authority unless their conduct involves gross negligence, while explicitly preserving existing protections for judges, legislators, and high-level executives. The legislation also defines specific exceptions, such as removing immunity for medical care provided in certain hospitals and ensuring liability remains for underground facility damage. Additionally, it establishes that public universities and school districts cannot claim immunity for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees or agents.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state department of education, working with the department of labor and economic opportunity, to develop educational materials on digital literacy and cybersafety. These resources, which include model curricula and lesson plans, must be made available for free on the department of labor and economic opportunity's website. The primary goal is to provide accessible tools to help individuals improve their online safety and digital skills without cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing civil lawsuits against the state of Michigan specifically for cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that plaintiffs must file a notice of their claim within one year of the incident. By linking this change to a companion bill, the legislation allows victims of criminal sexual conduct to bypass the usual strict filing deadlines that apply to other types of property damage or injury claims. The measure is designed to ensure that these specific cases can proceed in court without being dismissed due to missed procedural time limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Homeowners' Energy Policy Act, makes it illegal for homeowners' associations in Michigan to ban owners from installing, maintaining, or operating specific energy-saving upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps, and rain barrels. It also prevents local governments from forcing homeowners to get HOA approval for these improvements, though local rules can still impose other reasonable limits. To ensure compliance, the law requires every homeowners' association to adopt a written solar energy policy statement within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits using a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity as a legal defense in criminal cases. Specifically, it bars evidence of such information from being used to claim reasonable provocation, heat of passion, or reduced mental capacity. Additionally, the bill states that discovering or knowing about a person's gender identity or sexual orientation does not justify using force against them. These rules apply to all criminal proceedings in Michigan to prevent bias from influencing the outcome of a trial.