Rep. Rachel Hood

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to require businesses to clearly disclose automatic renewal terms in consumer contracts. It mandates that any provision allowing a service or subscription to continue without explicit consumer consent must be prominently displayed within the agreement itself. The law directly affects businesses offering recurring services and consumers who sign up for such products, ensuring they are fully informed about how their subscriptions will renew. By adding a new section to the statute, the bill aims to prevent hidden fees and unexpected charges by making these renewal conditions transparent and easy to understand.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Michigan distributes revenue from the state recreation passport fee, which is a charge added to vehicle registration for residents who use state parks and forests. The primary change adjusts the percentage of remaining funds allocated to state parks based on how many people purchased the passport in the previous year. If fewer than 55% of eligible residents bought a passport, a larger share of the leftover money goes to capital improvements and marketing, whereas a higher participation rate directs more funds toward general park operations and maintenance. Additionally, the bill updates the fixed dollar amounts for specific accounts to automatically increase with inflation and clarifies how the state estimates potential revenue from vehicle owners who are currently exempt from the fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to offer an optional lesson on organ, eye, and tissue donation to students before they finish ninth grade. The state education department must create or adopt a short presentation model by January 1, 2025, which includes information about the Michigan organ donor registry and can be delivered within a single class period. While school boards are encouraged to use this material, parents or legal guardians can request that their child be excused from the lesson without any penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan e-bike transportation incentive program to provide financial assistance for purchasing electric bicycles. It creates a process where the state issues discount vouchers to residents who are at least 18 years old and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as participating in certain assistance programs or having a household income below 300% of the federal poverty level. Qualified residents receive a voucher worth up to $300, while income-qualified residents receive up to $600, both capped at 90% of the bike's price and limited to one per person. The program requires retailers to register with the state and mandates that vouchers be redeemed within one year, with the initiative set to end on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a new funding system that pays certified community behavioral health clinics in advance for their expected costs. The law applies to clinics, nonprofit groups, and private organizations that provide mental health services and meet specific federal and state certification standards. To ensure fair treatment, the bill requires the department to establish rules that prevent retaliation against these providers and creates a process for resolving payment disputes through an independent adjudicator. Implementation of this payment system must be completed by October 1, 2027, but the bill will only take effect if a companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Michigan to sign and witness important legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney, using real-time video calls instead of meeting in person. To qualify, the video interaction must be recorded and kept for at least three years, and both the signer and witnesses must clearly see and hear each other while the document is being executed. The law also requires that every page of the document be numbered and legible during the call, with a copy sent to witnesses within 72 hours for them to sign and return. Additionally, the bill removes an expiration date that previously limited these electronic signing rules, ensuring they remain in effect indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal framework for needle and hypodermic syringe access programs in Michigan, allowing individuals to distribute sterile needles and provide related services to reduce the spread of communicable diseases. It grants the state department of health the authority to set rules for establishing these programs and clarifies that people participating in them are not breaking laws regarding the possession or distribution of needles, syringes, or trace amounts of drugs found within them. The legislation also specifies that involvement in these programs can be proven through third-party testimony or program sign-in sheets to protect participants from criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's notary public laws to allow for electronic and remote electronic notarizations using approved communication technology. It directly affects notaries public, individuals needing notarized documents, and financial institutions by defining new terms like "credential analysis" and "identity proofing" to verify signer identities remotely. The legislation requires that remote notarizations occur via platforms providing real-time audio and video contact, recording capabilities, and third-party identity verification services. By adding a new section and modifying existing ones, the bill expands the legal framework for how notaries can perform their duties in a digital environment while maintaining security standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from asking job applicants about their past wages, fringe benefits, credit scores, or credit history. It also bans employers from requiring employees to sign waivers that prevent them from sharing their salary information or from punishing workers who disclose their pay. By removing these restrictions, the legislation aims to prevent discrimination based on compensation history and financial records during the hiring process. The changes directly affect both current and prospective employees by limiting the types of questions employers can ask regarding financial details.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan with 50 or more employees at a single location to post a notice informing workers about laws against wage discrimination based on various protected characteristics. The notice must explain that federal law prohibits unequal pay due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, or disability, while state law extends these protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, and marital status. It also directs employees to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for assistance and provides contact information for anonymous reporting of violations. Employers who fail to display this approved notice may face a civil fine of up to $100.