Rep. Emily Dievendorf

Maddy summaryHB 5355, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from requiring or considering an applicant's criminal record during initial rental screening. Landlords must issue a conditional offer after checking income, credit, or rental history, then may only consider specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or sex offenses requiring registration) or recent felonies within 3 years after a conditional offer is made. Landlords must disclose if they consider criminal records and allow applicants to submit evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating factors before denying housing. This bill directly affects landlords across Michigan and rental applicants with criminal records, aiming to reduce barriers to housing based solely on past convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 5362 is a supplemental budget bill that allocates additional state funds to the University of Michigan for its operations during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It modifies existing state appropriations by designating specific supplemental funding for the University of Michigan, without creating new programs or altering the university's structure. This bill directly affects the University of Michigan's budget, providing it with additional resources from the state's general fund for the upcoming fiscal year. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on the allocation of existing state funds rather than establishing new policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 227) urges the U.S. House of Representatives to investigate allegations that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized military actions in the Caribbean Sea that killed at least one unarmed civilian fisherman, with no public evidence the individual was a combatant. If evidence supports these allegations, it calls for the House to introduce and adopt articles of impeachment against Hegseth for potential violations of federal law, international humanitarian law, and the Constitution. The resolution references the War Powers Resolution, the War Crimes Act, and the Geneva Conventions to frame the alleged misconduct. It does not create new law but formally requests the House take specific action. (Procedural resolution; summary limited to 2 sentences as instructed.)

Maddy summaryHB 5349 requires Michigan's Department of Health to create standardized forms for two types of school immunization exemptions. Medical exemptions (for health reasons) must include details like the vaccine type, reason for exemption, and expiration date. Non-medical exemptions (for religious or other objections) must include education about vaccine benefits and risks, require in-person form pickup from a health department, and include witnessed signatures. This bill directly affects parents seeking exemptions, schools requiring immunization records, and local health departments distributing the forms.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes December 13, 2025, as "National Wreaths Across America Day" in Michigan. It does not create new laws or policies but formally honors Michigan's participation in the non-profit Wreaths Across America's annual event, where volunteers place wreaths on veterans' graves. The resolution acknowledges that Michigan will host 96 locations across the state, with approximately 60,000 wreaths laid to honor fallen veterans, active-duty military, and their families. It serves as a ceremonial declaration of the state's support for this existing national observance.

Maddy summaryHB 5344 amends Michigan's school code to update how public schools report student vaccination rates. It requires schools to submit annual immunization status reports to health officials by November 1 and February 1, including vision screening data for kindergarten students. Starting in 2028, schools must provide de-identified, aggregated data showing vaccination rates (fully/partially immunized and waiver percentages) and share each student's vaccination status with parents via mail, email, website links, and physical notices in school offices. The bill focuses on transparency and data collection for public health monitoring, without changing vaccination requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5348 requires Michigan schools to use standardized forms created by the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for documenting student immunization records and exemptions. It affects public and nonpublic schools enrolling new students or those entering grade 7, as well as parents submitting exemption forms. The bill modifies existing requirements by mandating that all immunization documentation, including medical contraindication forms and religious exemption statements, must use MDHHS-approved templates instead of current forms. This change standardizes reporting to ensure consistency in tracking student immunization status across all schools. The policy does not alter vaccination requirements but updates the administrative process for submitting compliance documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 5350 requires local health departments to annually report school immunization rates and exemption data to local governing bodies (like city councils). Starting June 1, 2028, health officers must submit detailed, de-identified reports showing overall vaccination levels, medical and non-medical exemption percentages, and list schools with over 5% exemptions along with plans to reduce them. This directly affects schools, health departments, and local governments by increasing transparency around vaccination coverage. The bill amends existing law to strengthen accountability for immunization compliance without changing exemption rules themselves.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject a proposed definition of "professional degree" that would exclude many health care education programs from federal student loan eligibility. It specifically targets programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and physician assistant studies - classified under CIP Code 51 - which would lose access to loans under the current proposal. The bill requests the Department instead adopt a definition based on required practice credentials, not program length or historical classification, to maintain consistent eligibility. This change aims to prevent worsening health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.