Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryHB 5370 requires retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco, nicotine, or vaping products in Michigan. It directly affects stores and businesses selling these products by mandating licenses, requiring ID checks for customers under 21, and imposing fines for violations. Key provisions include fines ranging from $100 for first offenses to $10,000 for repeated violations, plus license suspension or revocation for serious breaches. The bill aims to prevent sales to minors by creating enforceable penalties for retailers and their employees.

Maddy summaryHB 5371 clarifies that Michigan's 1915 tobacco law (MCL 722.641-722.645) remains unaffected by changes to the Age of Majority Act (1971 PA 79). It specifically states that the tobacco law is excluded from provisions in the Age of Majority Act that would otherwise supersede other age-related legal standards. This bill does not change tobacco regulations or voting rules - it only ensures the 1915 tobacco law continues to apply separately. The bill directly affects the legal framework governing tobacco sales and regulations in Michigan. It is a technical clarification, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 5372 changes penalties for minors who purchase, possess, or use tobacco, vapor, or alternative nicotine products. It replaces criminal misdemeanor penalties for first and second violations with civil penalties (fines up to $50 and community service up to 32 hours), while third or subsequent violations remain misdemeanors. The bill also adds exemptions for minors in approved undercover operations or compliance checks. It requires four related bills to pass before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 5369 creates a temporary exemption for existing tobacco and nicotine product retailers in Michigan who have pending license applications. It allows these businesses to continue selling products while their applications are being reviewed by the state department, provided they submit an affidavit confirming they were lawfully selling before the law changed, have applied for a license, and haven't yet received one. The exemption ends once the application is no longer pending. This bill amends the Youth Tobacco Act (MCL 722.641-722.645) and is tied to the passage of four related bills (HB 5370, 5372, 5368, 5371).

Maddy summaryHB 5368 would allow licensed tobacco businesses to sell nicotine or tobacco products at temporary events like fairs, festivals, or farmers' markets, provided they meet specific conditions. Sellers must visibly display their license certificate and required warning signs (within 6 feet of each sale point) while complying with all other laws. Violations of the signage or license display rules could result in fines of up to $2,500 per day. This bill directly affects licensed tobacco retailers seeking to expand sales opportunities at public events.

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 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.