Maddy summaryHB 4131 updates Michigan's animal care laws by clarifying definitions and requirements for dog shelter and tethering. It directly affects dog owners, breeders, pet shops, and animal shelters by specifying that dog shelters must include properly insulated doghouses with dry bedding (like straw or cedar shavings) during freezing temperatures, excluding items like blankets, cardboard, or crawl spaces. The bill also requires tethers for dogs to be at least three times the dog's length (nose-to-tail) unless used for grooming, training, transport, or hunting. These changes aim to ensure dogs have adequate protection from weather and prevent harmful tethering practices. The bill is currently in committee after its February 2025 introduction.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 4132 amends Michigan's personal protection order law to explicitly include animal-related abuse as a prohibited act in domestic violence cases. The bill adds new language (subsection 1(k)) making it illegal for a respondent to injure, kill, threaten, or remove an animal in which the petitioner has ownership interest, or to retain an animal taken from the petitioner. This directly affects domestic violence victims who rely on pets for emotional support, expanding court orders to protect both people and their companion animals. The provision specifies it does not override lawful animal use (e.g., hunting under state law) and aligns with existing protections for victims.
Maddy summaryHB 4130 amends Section 2 of Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund Act (MCL 287.992) by updating the definition of "State animal anticruelty laws" to explicitly include specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.49-750.70, 750.70a, and MCL 750.50(8) and (12)). This technical update ensures the fund act correctly references existing animal cruelty laws without creating new policies or funding. The bill affects how the Animal Welfare Fund Act applies to enforcement of current animal protection laws. It is a procedural clarification, not a substantive policy change.
Maddy summaryHB 4140 repeals the 2023 "Extreme risk protection order act" (2023 PA 38, MCL 691.1801-691.1821), which established a legal process for temporarily removing firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill does not create new provisions or directly affect any individuals or groups, as it solely removes an existing law. This repeal is contingent on two other bills (HB 4138 and HB 4139) also being enacted into law. The bill was introduced on February 26, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryHB 4053 creates the "nondisclosure agreement definitions act" by defining a "nondisclosure agreement" as a contract that prohibits a party from disclosing, discussing, describing, or commenting on the agreement or its terms. This bill does not directly prohibit such agreements but establishes definitions for a future law that would address them. It requires the enactment of another bill (HB 4052 or SB 558) to take effect and passed the Michigan House of Representatives on February 25, 2025, with 91 votes in favor.
Maddy summaryHB 4052 prohibits Michigan legislators and their legislative staff from signing confidentiality agreements related to their official legislative work. Any such agreement entered into after the law takes effect would be void. The bill applies to all agreements made, amended, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date, specifically covering work performed in a legislative capacity. It does not affect personal or non-legislative matters.
Maddy summaryHB 4109 clarifies that health club staff (including owners and employees) have no legal obligation to provide emergency medical assistance using on-site AEDs during health club incidents. It explicitly states this does not override Michigan's existing Good Samaritan law (1963 PA 17), which protects people who assist in emergencies. The bill requires companion bill HB 4108 to pass first before taking effect. This directly affects health club operations regarding medical emergency response protocols.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It declares February 14, 2025, as "Frederick Douglass Day" in Michigan to honor the abolitionist's legacy. The resolution commemorates Douglass' life and contributions, including his birth date adoption and work for civil rights, but has no legal effect or impact on state laws or residents. It serves solely as a symbolic recognition.
Maddy summaryThis resolution declares February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week in Michigan. It encourages Michigan citizens to recognize the National FFA Organization's role in supporting agricultural education, youth leadership development, and career preparation for students in grades 7-12. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally acknowledges FFA's contributions to agricultural education programs across the state.
Maddy summaryHB 4068 modifies Michigan's death reporting law for newborns surrendered through designated safety devices (like hospital safe-haven locations). If a newborn born alive after an attempted abortion is surrendered under Michigan's Safe Delivery of Newborns Law (MCL 712.1-712.20) and later dies, funeral directors must report the death as "Baby Doe" with no identifying details - such as parent names, addresses, or the informant's information. This change ensures anonymity for parents who use the surrender option while maintaining standard death reporting procedures. The bill applies specifically to infants surrendered through the safety device process, not to general infant deaths.