Rep. Emily Dievendorf

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 restricts health insurance companies in Michigan from covering medical services where the patient's share of the cost, such as copayments or coinsurance, exceeds 50% of the total service price. It directly affects health insurers and the individuals enrolled in their plans by setting a clear limit on how much patients can be charged out-of-pocket for covered benefits. The legislation requires the state insurance director to handle any complaints related to violations of this new rule. Changes made by the bill apply only to new insurance policies or to existing policies when they are renewed or modified after the law takes effect.

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 summaryThis bill restricts third-party administrators from creating contracts for health plans that require individuals to pay more than 50% of the cost for specific medical services through copayments or coinsurance. It directly affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and individuals enrolled in these benefit plans by setting a new financial limit on out-of-pocket costs for covered care. The law gives the state insurance director the authority to investigate and rule on any complaints related to these new restrictions. These rules will apply to new contracts immediately after the bill passes and to existing contracts when they are next renewed or modified.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's domestic violence prevention laws to explicitly allow shelters to accept common household pets, such as dogs and cats, alongside victims and their children. By updating the definition of a "family or household member" and revising shelter requirements, the legislation ensures that emergency housing programs can accommodate animals as part of their crisis support services. Prime sponsors, which include local governments and nonprofit organizations, may use state funds to establish or maintain these inclusive shelter programs that offer counseling, legal aid, and other essential resources. The changes aim to remove barriers for victims seeking immediate safety by recognizing the emotional and practical importance of keeping pets during domestic violence situations.

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 summaryThis bill allows Michigan residents to register as anatomical donors by checking a box on their state income tax return instead of visiting the Secretary of State's office in person. It requires the Department of Treasury to send this information to the Secretary of State, who will then add eligible individuals to the official donor registry. The law mandates that the registry be accessible 24/7 to organ procurement organizations at no cost, while ensuring that personal data remains private and is only shared with medical teams when a potential donor is near death.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's income tax law to clarify how certain types of income and deductions are calculated for individual taxpayers. It specifically adjusts the definition of taxable income by adding back interest from out-of-state bonds and taxes paid to other jurisdictions while simultaneously allowing deductions for military retirement benefits, Social Security, and contributions to state education tuition programs. The legislation also updates the maximum deduction limits for other retirement and pension income, ensuring these amounts are adjusted annually based on inflation. These changes directly affect Michigan residents filing state income tax returns by modifying the final amount of income subject to taxation.

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.