Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryHB 5271 establishes the Michigan Azimuth Bridge Program, requiring the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a mental health transition program for service members and veterans. The program must be offered at least four times yearly, available within two months before and after military separation, and include resources on PTSD, depression, suicide prevention, and bridging military-to-civilian life. It mandates collaboration with nonprofits or government agencies, incorporates the Protecting Veterans Mental Health Act’s resource guide, and prohibits sharing personally identifying data. The bill directly affects Michigan National Guard members and veterans transitioning to civilian life who reside in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 5269, the "Veteran Abuse Reporting Act," requires state departments, law enforcement, and prosecutors to notify county veterans' affairs offices or county boards of commissioners within 24 hours of receiving reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving veterans. The notice must include the veteran's name, a description of the incident, and additional details like age or guardian information when available. This bill directly affects veterans who may be victims of abuse by ensuring their reports trigger a coordinated response from county veterans' affairs services. It mandates that counties contact the veteran or their legal representative and refer them to state veterans' services, creating a formal reporting pathway for veteran safety.

Maddy summaryHB 5270 establishes the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within Michigan's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to address veterans' mental health needs. The office will collect data on veteran mental health conditions (including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, substance use disorders, and suicide risk), create a free resource guide with self-assessment tools and local mental health service listings, and submit annual reports to state committees. This guide must be available at no cost to veterans and service members in print or digital formats, with all personally identifying information protected. The bill requires the office to ensure data accuracy and coordinate with existing programs like the "buddy-to-buddy" peer support initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 5279 expands Michigan's veteran designation on driver's licenses to include members of the NOAA Commissioned Corps (NOAACOC) and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC). It amends the vehicle code to add these service members to the existing definition of "veteran" for license purposes, requiring the Secretary of State to provide a special veteran designation upon proof of service. This change directly affects current or former members of the NOAA and Public Health Service Corps who hold Michigan driver's licenses. The bill modifies Section 310 of the Michigan Vehicle Code and adds new sections (803v and 803w) to formalize this eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5275 modifies Michigan's property tax credit for individual income tax by changing the definition of "disabled veteran" and removing a limit on the credit amount for qualifying veterans. The bill amends sections 506 and 520 of the 1967 Income Tax Act (MCL 206.506, 206.520) to expand eligibility and eliminate a cap previously applied to this credit. This directly affects disabled veterans who claim the property tax credit, allowing them to receive the full credit amount without the prior limitation. The change is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryHB 5268 amends Michigan law to require the state veterans' facility ombudsman to directly forward reports finding verified abuse, neglect, or exploitation in veterans' facilities to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This change affects veterans' facilities and their residents, as it ensures LARA - responsible for facility licensing and oversight - receives these reports immediately. The bill modifies Section 10 of the existing ombudsman law to mandate this specific reporting pathway when abuse findings are deemed valid, rather than only sharing internally with the department of military and veterans affairs. This creates a clearer accountability step for serious facility safety concerns.

Maddy summaryHB 5278 amends Michigan's identification card law to include individuals who served in the NOAA Commissioned Corps (NOAACOC) or the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC) in the state's definition of "veteran" for identification cards. This change would allow these service members to request a "veteran" designation on their state ID, similar to military veterans, upon providing proof of service and discharge. The bill requires the Secretary of State to verify service records with relevant agencies and issue the designation in an appropriate format. This policy change directly affects NOAA and USPHSCC personnel seeking to identify their service on official state IDs.

Maddy summaryHB 5265 creates Michigan's Veterans Service Animal Grant Program, providing financial assistance to eligible veterans for obtaining service animals. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are matched with service animals through IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The program, administered by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, uses a new state fund to cover costs like training and acquisition, with grants awarded based on specific eligibility criteria. The fund is established in the state treasury and can only be used for program grants and administration, as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the federal government not to extend two Department of Energy emergency orders (202-25-3 and 202-25-7) that are preventing the planned closure of Michigan's J.H. Campbell Power Plant. The orders, issued to address an alleged energy emergency, conflict with MISO's approval for the plant's suspension by 2028 and have already cost Consumers Energy ratepayers $29 million in 38 days. The resolution highlights that continuing operations imposes financial burdens, worsens air/water pollution (releasing millions of pounds of pollutants annually), and causes estimated $389-879 million in annual health impacts. It directly affects Michigan ratepayers, public health, and environmental quality in the plant's local area.

Maddy summaryHB 5266 creates Michigan's Office of Veteran Homelessness within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to coordinate support for homeless veterans. The office will identify, align, and connect veterans to existing state, federal, and local resources and programs addressing homelessness, including mental health, substance use, and housing services. It establishes a $1 million Veteran Homelessness Fund for the office's operations and requires annual reports detailing the scope of veteran homelessness, resource gaps, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects homeless veterans in Michigan by streamlining access to services and improving coordination across government programs.