Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws by establishing specific time limits for filing indictments against individuals accused of various crimes. It directly affects prosecutors, victims, and defendants by clarifying when legal charges must be brought to court. The key provisions set a 25-year limit for certain sexual offenses, a 10-year limit for crimes like kidnapping and identity theft, and a 15-year limit for offenses involving real property fraud. Additionally, the law allows for indictments to be filed at any time if DNA evidence links an unidentified suspect to a crime, but requires charges to be filed within a set period once the suspect is identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework in Michigan to handle the division of "heirs property," which is real estate owned by multiple relatives who inherited it without a formal agreement. It establishes specific rules for courts to follow when these properties are contested, requiring judges to first determine if the land qualifies as heirs property before deciding how to split it. Under the new provisions, courts must order professional appraisals to set a fair market value unless all owners agree on a price or the cost of an appraisal is deemed too high. The legislation also mandates that plaintiffs post a sign on the property during legal proceedings to notify potential heirs and requires that any appointed evaluators be impartial and not involved in the case.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to help prisoners obtain driver's licenses and state identification cards before they are released on parole or complete their sentences. The department must collect necessary documents and photos at least 60 days prior to release and forward them to the Secretary of State, while also informing inmates about this assistance upon entry into the system. To support these efforts, the legislation creates a dedicated "reentry success fund" to cover the costs of the program. The bill also allows the Secretary of State to access prisoner information electronically to verify identities during the application process.

Maddy summaryHB 4900 updates Michigan laws regarding how courts collect money owed through legal judgments by clarifying definitions and adjusting collection procedures. The bill specifically affects creditors seeking to garnish wages or seize property, as well as individuals whose earnings are subject to such collection efforts. Key changes include refining the definition of "garnishable earnings" to account for specific insurance deductions and establishing a new $1 fee that plaintiffs must pay to the third party holding the debt when serving a garnishment order. Additionally, the legislation clarifies when garnishment proceedings can begin against government entities and individuals who owe money for labor performed.

Maddy summaryThis law requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover the cost of blood pressure monitors for pregnant or postpartum individuals. The coverage applies to devices delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed within the state and is subject to standard cost-sharing requirements like deductibles and co-pays. This change directly affects pregnant and postpartum patients who need to monitor their blood pressure as part of their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to allow the Secretary of State to issue official state identification cards directly to individuals currently on parole or recently released from correctional facilities. The program requires the Secretary of State to electronically verify a prisoner's identity using records from the Department of Corrections and issue the card before the individual's projected release date. If the card cannot be delivered in time, the bill mandates that it be mailed to the Department of Corrections for handover to the individual. The legislation also clarifies that applicants who are not U.S. citizens must provide documents proving their legal presence in the United States and prohibits the Secretary of State from displaying Social Security numbers on the cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Interstate 94 in Wayne County as the "Corporal Mohamed Said Memorial Highway." The designated section runs between Oakwood Boulevard and Outer Drive W. By adding this new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation officially names the road in honor of Corporal Mohamed Said.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison within Michigan's Legislative Council to strengthen government-to-government relationships between the state legislature and federally recognized tribes. The office will be led by a liaison appointed by the council from a list provided by the United Tribes of Michigan, who will be supported by at least two policy advisors. Key duties include visiting each tribe annually, advising lawmakers on how proposed legislation impacts tribal communities, and providing mandatory training for legislators on tribal history and consultation processes. Additionally, the office must submit an annual public report detailing tribal concerns raised during the legislative process to the governor and legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes two specific sections of Michigan's social welfare law that previously required workforce engagement for participants in the Healthy Michigan plan. By repealing these sections, the legislation eliminates the legal mandate that individuals receiving medical assistance must engage in work-related activities as a condition of their coverage. The change directly affects the administration of the state's health program by altering the rules that govern eligibility requirements for enrolled participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from discriminating against licensed healthcare providers who are acting within the scope of their professional licenses. While insurers must not unfairly exclude these providers from their policies, the law does not force them to contract with every willing provider or to pay the same reimbursement rates to all. The legislation defines discrimination based on existing federal standards and clarifies that "health professional" includes anyone authorized to practice under the state's public health code.