Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan courts to seal eviction records under specific circumstances to protect tenant privacy while maintaining public access to certain serious cases. It mandates that records be kept private if a tenant has paid all owed rent, if no eviction order was issued, or if the eviction occurred during the state of emergency declared in 2020. Conversely, the law keeps records public if an eviction order was issued multiple times within three years or if the eviction was based on severe issues like illegal drug activity, health hazards, or physical violence. Additionally, the bill allows for the automatic sealing of eviction records seven years after a judgment becomes final, unless the case involves the prohibited serious reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's health care laws to create a clear process for designating a surrogate to make medical decisions for adults or emancipated minors who cannot do so themselves. It establishes a specific priority list for potential surrogates, starting with out-of-state designations, followed by spouses, adult children, parents, and siblings, while excluding individuals subject to protective orders or pending abuse charges. The legislation requires that a surrogate's authority ends when the patient regains decision-making capacity and mandates that the surrogate sign an acceptance form confirming they will act in the patient's best interest without receiving payment. Additionally, the bill allows patients to disqualify specific individuals from serving as surrogates and ensures that surrogates are informed of the patient's known treatment preferences.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's post-conviction DNA testing laws to allow certain felony defendants to request new trials based on DNA evidence. It establishes specific criteria for petitions, such as requiring proof that biological material exists, was not previously tested, or can be tested with more accurate modern technology. The legislation outlines the court's responsibilities to order testing, cover costs for indigent defendants, and determine whether the results warrant a new trial or the inclusion of the defendant's DNA in state databases.

Maddy summaryHB 6100 updates the definitions for various types of captive insurance companies within Michigan's insurance code. The bill clarifies terms such as "affiliated company," "pure captive insurance company," and "sponsored captive insurance company" to ensure consistent understanding of corporate structures and relationships. These revised definitions apply to insurance regulators, captive insurance providers, and the businesses that utilize these entities to manage their own risks. By standardizing these legal descriptions, the legislation aims to improve clarity and consistency in how insurance regulations are applied and interpreted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's insurance code to update the requirements for captive insurance companies seeking a limited certificate of authority to operate in the state. It clarifies the specific types of risks these companies can insure based on their category, such as pure or association captives, while explicitly excluding certain coverages like first-dollar workers' compensation and personal automobile insurance. The legislation also outlines the detailed information and documentation that applicants must submit to the commissioner and attorney general, including organizational documents, financial evidence, and biographical affidavits for officers. Additionally, the bill permits organizational documents to include provisions limiting director liability for monetary damages, provided that liability for breaches of loyalty, intentional misconduct, or improper personal benefits remains intact.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to avoid policies that conflict with federal rules for certified community behavioral health clinics. It mandates the creation of a process to determine where new clinic sites should be located to prevent overlapping service areas. Additionally, the state must continue cooperating with the federal government on these clinics unless the legislature votes to stop such participation. The bill does not take effect until another related piece of legislation is passed.

Maddy summaryHB 5801 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to address violations related to money transmission. The bill modifies the existing legal framework that judges use to determine punishment for these specific financial crimes. By revising section 14p of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the legislation updates how penalties are calculated for individuals involved in unauthorized money transfer activities. This change directly affects prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges who handle cases involving money transmission offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws on expunging criminal convictions by clarifying how multiple offenses are counted and adjusting the waiting periods before individuals can apply to have their records set aside. Under the new rules, crimes committed within a 24-hour window and stemming from the same incident will be treated as a single offense unless they involve assault, weapons, or carry a maximum penalty of ten years or more. The legislation also establishes specific waiting times based on the severity of the crime, ranging from three years for standard misdemeanors to seven years for serious felonies, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during those waiting periods. Additionally, the bill mandates that expungement applications include detailed personal information, a certified record of the convictions, and a $50 processing fee paid to the state police.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow honorably discharged veterans and active-duty military members free entry into state parks and public boating access sites. It requires these individuals to display a special hangtag, sticker, or form issued by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs after their status is verified, rather than paying the standard recreation passport fee. The change applies to resident vehicles entering these locations and does not affect nonresident vehicle entry rules or other existing fee exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that law enforcement disciplinary personnel records be made available to the public upon request under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. It achieves this by explicitly removing an exemption that previously allowed agencies to withhold these records as an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Consequently, the legislation ensures that information regarding officer discipline is treated as a public record subject to disclosure, while maintaining other standard protections for sensitive investigative data and personal privacy.