Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryHB 4626 updates Michigan's community property law (MCL 557.253 and 557.254) by replacing gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouses." This change modernizes the statute's wording without altering the substance of property rights or rules related to community property. The bill applies to all property governed by the law, including existing holdings and future acquisitions, ensuring consistent language for married couples regardless of gender. It is a technical revision to align the legal text with inclusive standards, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4622 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language by replacing terms like "husband," "wife," and "his" or "her" with "spouse" throughout Sections 1 and 2 of the 1909 divorce statute (MCL 552.101-552.102). It specifically revises provisions about dividing insurance benefits, pensions, retirement assets, and real estate ownership in divorce judgments to apply equally to all spouses. The bill does not change how divorce settlements are calculated or affect legal outcomes - it only modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural update to the statute, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHR 127 is a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause all Job Corps center operations by June 30, 2025, with specific focus on the Detroit center. It directly affects approximately 217 enrolled youth at the Detroit Job Corps Center, who were reportedly told to leave immediately on May 30, 2025, with reports of some facing homelessness. The resolution cites the program’s 60-year history of providing career training, high school completion, and wraparound services (like mental health support) to disadvantaged youth aged 16-24. It emphasizes that the sudden pause disrupts critical services for Detroit youth and communities, as 321 Michigan participants were enrolled at the Detroit center as of 2023. The resolution has no binding effect but formally requests the Department of Labor reverse its operational pause.

Maddy summaryHB 4612 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language, changing references to "divorced women" to "divorced individuals" in the law governing name changes during divorce proceedings. The bill modifies the title and Section 1 of the 1905 law (MCL 552.391) to allow any divorcing person - regardless of gender - to request restoration of their birth name, their pre-marriage surname, or adoption of a new surname during divorce. The key mechanism remains the same: circuit courts can grant these name changes upon request without requiring fraudulent intent. This is a procedural language update, not a policy change to eligibility or process. The bill requires approval of a related constitutional amendment request before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4619 updates Michigan's marriage license law to remove gendered language. It changes references like "man or woman" in the residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license to gender-neutral terms. This affects anyone applying for a marriage license in Michigan by ensuring the process uses inclusive language. The bill amends Section 1 of the 1887 Marriage Act (MCL 551.101) without altering eligibility for marriage. It is a procedural language change, not a policy shift on marriage rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4555, the Water Affordability Act, creates a program to help low-income Michigan households afford water and sewer bills by adjusting rates based on household income. It defines "qualified customers" as those with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or recipients of specific public assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or energy assistance. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will administer the program, processing applications within 30 days to determine eligibility and set water bills at a rate not exceeding a specified percentage of household income. The bill also provides additional protections for "protected customers," including seniors, children, and individuals with medical conditions requiring continuous water service.

Maddy summaryHB 4550 amends Michigan's bingo and charitable gaming law (MCL 432.105d) to prohibit qualified organizations from offering firearms as prizes in raffles held on school grounds. This directly affects schools, charities, and other groups hosting raffles on public or private K-12 school property. The key provision adds a specific ban: raffles at schools cannot include firearms as prizes, with "firearm" defined under existing law and "school" excluding homeschools. The amendment clarifies that this prohibition applies to all raffles conducted on school grounds, regardless of the raffle's size or prize value.

Maddy summaryHB 4546 requires health insurers in Michigan providing prescription drug coverage to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects health insurance companies operating in Michigan that offer prescription drug benefits. The key provision mandates these insurers to follow specific cost and affordability review requirements already established under the Review Act. The bill is tied to companion legislation (HB 4544) and is currently pending in the House Committee on Government Operations.

Maddy summaryHB 4545 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects low-income residents enrolled in Michigan's medical assistance program by mandating adherence to state drug cost review requirements. The key provision adds Section 109o to Michigan's Social Welfare Act, making compliance with the drug cost review act a program requirement. The bill is conditional, stating it will not take effect unless companion legislation (HB 4544) is enacted into law. The bill was introduced on June 3, 2025, and referred to the Government Operations Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4544 creates Michigan's Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Stakeholder Council to review and set price limits for prescription drugs. The Board will establish upper payment limits for brand-name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs, requiring manufacturers to justify price increases above the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects drug manufacturers, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and patients by limiting how much they can charge for covered medications. The law aims to improve drug affordability through state oversight, with the Board required to conduct annual reviews and set rules for pricing.