Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan to provide suitable seats, such as chairs or stools with back support, to employees working at locations owned or controlled by the employer if it is reasonable for them to sit while performing their duties. If sitting during work is not feasible, the law mandates that employers place these seats near the employee's workspace and prohibits banning their use unless the worker is actively engaged in tasks. Employers who fail to comply face civil fines of $250 for each affected employee for every two-week period of violation, with penalties collected by county prosecutors or the state attorney general. The legislation also allows the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to create specific rules to implement these requirements and clarifies that the law applies to existing contracts that conflict with the new standards once those agreements expire or are renewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of highway M-11 in Kent County as the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Drive." The affected roadway stretches from the intersection with 3 Mile Road south to the bridge over the Grand River. By amending state highway naming laws, the legislation officially assigns this commemorative name to the route. The change applies immediately and does not alter any traffic rules or funding provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's crime victim compensation law to explicitly include reimbursement for pet boarding expenses when a victim must relocate immediately following a crime. The legislation allows victims to receive up to $45,000 total for various out-of-pocket losses, with specific sub-limits for categories such as medical care, counseling, relocation, and funeral costs. By adding pet boarding to the list of eligible expenses, the bill ensures that pet owners can access funds to board their animals while they move to a safer location. The amendment applies to claims filed under the state's existing crime victim services program without changing the overall funding structure or eligibility criteria for other types of compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 5977 modifies the Michigan Industrial Hemp Growers Act by updating how the state manages its industrial hemp program funds. The bill establishes a dedicated industrial hemp fund within the state treasury to hold fees collected from the program, allowing the department to use these monies for auditing, operating, and enforcing hemp regulations. It also mandates that any remaining money in this specific fund be transferred to a different agriculture-related fund on February 1, 2025, at which point the industrial hemp fund will be abolished. Additionally, the legislation repeals numerous existing sections of the 2020 act, effectively resetting the legal framework for industrial hemp administration in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to automatically remove certain criminal convictions from public records without requiring individuals to file a formal application. It establishes specific timeframes and eligibility criteria for expunging misdemeanors and felonies, such as requiring seven or ten years to pass since sentencing or release from prison. The law includes strict limitations, such as capping the number of convictions that can be cleared and excluding serious offenses like assaultive crimes, crimes of dishonesty, and those involving minors. Implementation of these automatic expungements is scheduled to begin two years after the bill's effective date, pending necessary funding and technological setup by state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Used Motor Vehicle Warranty Act" to offer buyers of used cars a short-term cancellation option. It requires dealers selling used vehicles with a purchase price of $50,000 or less to provide customers with a contract that allows them to return the car without cause within two days of purchase. Under this agreement, buyers can drive the vehicle up to 150 miles and have it inspected by a mechanic of their choice during that two-day window. If a customer decides to cancel, they must pay a restocking fee that varies based on the vehicle's price, ranging from $175 to $500. The law excludes motorcycles, off-highway vehicles, and cars costing more than $50,000 from these requirements, and it does not apply to private sales between individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan to display a poster detailing employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act at all work sites and provide a digital copy to staff. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will create this poster using materials from the National Labor Relations Board and ensure it is available in English and any other language requested by a labor organization or employer. Employers who fail to comply face civil fines of $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations, which are collected by county prosecutors or the attorney general and deposited into the state general fund. The law directly affects businesses with employees and aims to increase awareness of collective bargaining rights through mandatory posting and digital distribution.

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 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.