Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Michigan, allowing them to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The legislation creates a system where a therapist licensed in their home state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in remote states, provided the patient is located in that remote state during the encounter. Key provisions include the mutual recognition of licenses, the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information between states, and specific accommodations for military families relocating. The law also aims to improve public access to therapy services by facilitating the use of telehealth technology and ensuring consistent regulatory standards across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code to update regulations for licensing health facilities. It specifically adds a new section to the code to establish rules for licensing prescribed pediatric extended care facilities. The legislation amends existing sections related to facility licensing and adds a new part to the code to address these specific care settings. If passed, the bill would require these specialized pediatric facilities to meet new licensing standards set by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover prescribed pediatric extended care for children. It achieves this by amending the state insurance code to mandate that policies issued or renewed within the state include this specific coverage. The legislation defines pediatric extended care according to existing public health code regulations and makes the bill's effectiveness dependent on the passage of a separate related bill.

Maddy summaryHB 6229 proposes to increase various registration and license fees associated with hunting in Michigan. The bill directly affects hunters and other individuals who purchase permits or licenses regulated under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. By amending numerous existing sections and adding new ones, the legislation updates the specific fee amounts charged for these activities. This change would result in higher costs for obtaining hunting-related authorizations but does not alter the fundamental rules governing how or when hunting can occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice under a national licensure compact. The key provision authorizes individuals who hold a compact privilege from other states to engage in practice within Michigan as if they were fully licensed under state law. By incorporating this compact, the legislation aims to facilitate easier mobility for these healthcare professionals across state lines while maintaining the same professional standards and obligations. The changes apply directly to occupational therapy practitioners and the facilities that employ them, ensuring that out-of-state compact members are recognized and regulated consistently with local licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments in Michigan to impose specific restrictions on firearms, pneumatic guns, and related ammunition within their jurisdictions. It explicitly permits municipalities to regulate how employees carry weapons at work, set age limits for children possessing air guns, ban threatening displays of such weapons, and prohibit open carry inside government buildings. The legislation also clarifies that these local rules cannot override existing state criminal laws and must allow law enforcement officers to openly carry firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Michigan from requiring employees, independent contractors, or interns to sign noncompete agreements, which are contracts that prevent workers from working for competitors after leaving their current job. The law allows noncompetes only in specific situations, such as when a business owner sells their company or when a worker is highly compensated and restricted from soliciting clients rather than competing directly. Agreements that violate these rules are declared unenforceable, and workers who face penalties for breaking them can sue for lost wages and legal fees. However, the bill does not ban agreements protecting trade secrets or those restricting client solicitation under strict conditions, such as a high salary and a one-year limit.

Maddy summaryHB 4405 updates Michigan's wage deduction laws by clarifying when employers can take money from employee paychecks without written permission. The bill specifically allows employers to deduct overpayments caused by mathematical or clerical errors and to satisfy court-ordered debt judgments without prior consent, provided they give employees written notice at least one pay period in advance. These deductions are limited to 15% of gross wages per pay period and cannot reduce an employee's pay below the applicable minimum wage. Additionally, the law requires employers to keep clear records for each deduction and prohibits prorating these amounts across multiple employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a specific sentencing guideline to Michigan's criminal code for violations related to wage and fringe benefit payments. By amending the state's sentencing guidelines, it aims to provide judges with a standardized framework for determining penalties in cases where employers fail to pay workers correctly. The legislation does not create new crimes or change existing laws but instead offers a tool for courts to apply consistent sentencing in these specific employment disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for employers in Michigan who intentionally fail to pay owed wages and fringe benefits to employees. The law establishes a tiered punishment system where the severity of the crime and the potential prison sentence depend on the total value of the unpaid money. Smaller unpaid amounts result in misdemeanor charges with shorter jail terms, while larger sums can lead to felony convictions with prison sentences of up to 20 years. Additionally, the bill allows fines to be up to three times the value of the unpaid wages, and repeat offenders face harsher penalties than first-time violators.