Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryHB 4622 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language by replacing terms like "husband," "wife," and "his" or "her" with "spouse" throughout Sections 1 and 2 of the 1909 divorce statute (MCL 552.101-552.102). It specifically revises provisions about dividing insurance benefits, pensions, retirement assets, and real estate ownership in divorce judgments to apply equally to all spouses. The bill does not change how divorce settlements are calculated or affect legal outcomes - it only modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural update to the statute, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHR 127 is a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause all Job Corps center operations by June 30, 2025, with specific focus on the Detroit center. It directly affects approximately 217 enrolled youth at the Detroit Job Corps Center, who were reportedly told to leave immediately on May 30, 2025, with reports of some facing homelessness. The resolution cites the program’s 60-year history of providing career training, high school completion, and wraparound services (like mental health support) to disadvantaged youth aged 16-24. It emphasizes that the sudden pause disrupts critical services for Detroit youth and communities, as 321 Michigan participants were enrolled at the Detroit center as of 2023. The resolution has no binding effect but formally requests the Department of Labor reverse its operational pause.

Maddy summaryHB 4612 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language, changing references to "divorced women" to "divorced individuals" in the law governing name changes during divorce proceedings. The bill modifies the title and Section 1 of the 1905 law (MCL 552.391) to allow any divorcing person - regardless of gender - to request restoration of their birth name, their pre-marriage surname, or adoption of a new surname during divorce. The key mechanism remains the same: circuit courts can grant these name changes upon request without requiring fraudulent intent. This is a procedural language update, not a policy change to eligibility or process. The bill requires approval of a related constitutional amendment request before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4619 updates Michigan's marriage license law to remove gendered language. It changes references like "man or woman" in the residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license to gender-neutral terms. This affects anyone applying for a marriage license in Michigan by ensuring the process uses inclusive language. The bill amends Section 1 of the 1887 Marriage Act (MCL 551.101) without altering eligibility for marriage. It is a procedural language change, not a policy shift on marriage rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4550 amends Michigan's bingo and charitable gaming law (MCL 432.105d) to prohibit qualified organizations from offering firearms as prizes in raffles held on school grounds. This directly affects schools, charities, and other groups hosting raffles on public or private K-12 school property. The key provision adds a specific ban: raffles at schools cannot include firearms as prizes, with "firearm" defined under existing law and "school" excluding homeschools. The amendment clarifies that this prohibition applies to all raffles conducted on school grounds, regardless of the raffle's size or prize value.

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 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 4542 would allow owners or handlers of service animals to sue for damages if the animal is injured or killed due to another person's actions - whether intentional, reckless, or negligent. It specifies recoverable costs, including the animal's value, veterinary care, retraining expenses, replacement costs, and lost earnings. The bill does not limit other legal remedies available to service animal owners. Currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its introduction on June 3, 2025, this bill has not yet become law.

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.