Rep. John Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact in Michigan, allowing licensed physical therapists and assistants to practice across state lines with a single license. Under the new rules, a provider can work in any other member state where their patient is located without needing separate licenses for each location. The compact establishes a shared data system to track licensure and disciplinary actions among participating states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. Additionally, the legislation specifically aims to support military spouses by facilitating easier practice mobility when they relocate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Technical Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to guide regulations on onsite wastewater treatment systems. The committee will consist of 21 members representing local health departments, engineers, scientists, manufacturers, installers, and other stakeholders to advise on standards, testing, and ethical guidelines. It establishes specific requirements for registering and continuing education for evaluators and practitioners who design, construct, maintain, or manage these systems. The committee will also provide guidance on how local health departments should handle older systems that were permitted before the new statewide sewage code took effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Michigan, allowing them to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. The legislation creates a system where a therapist licensed in their home state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in remote states, provided the patient is located in that remote state during the encounter. Key provisions include the mutual recognition of licenses, the sharing of disciplinary and investigative information between states, and specific accommodations for military families relocating. The law also aims to improve public access to therapy services by facilitating the use of telehealth technology and ensuring consistent regulatory standards across participating jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code to update regulations for licensing health facilities. It specifically adds a new section to the code to establish rules for licensing prescribed pediatric extended care facilities. The legislation amends existing sections related to facility licensing and adds a new part to the code to address these specific care settings. If passed, the bill would require these specialized pediatric facilities to meet new licensing standards set by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to allow occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice under a national licensure compact. The key provision authorizes individuals who hold a compact privilege from other states to engage in practice within Michigan as if they were fully licensed under state law. By incorporating this compact, the legislation aims to facilitate easier mobility for these healthcare professionals across state lines while maintaining the same professional standards and obligations. The changes apply directly to occupational therapy practitioners and the facilities that employ them, ensuring that out-of-state compact members are recognized and regulated consistently with local licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow nonelected and noncompensated public bodies to hold meetings remotely under specific conditions. It permits these groups to meet via video or phone if all members are unpaid, none are directly elected by voters, and the body does not have the power to levy taxes or fees. The law requires that remote meetings still allow two-way communication for members and include a method for the public to submit comments, such as typing questions for the moderator to read. Additionally, the bill extends remote meeting privileges to certain agricultural commodity groups and public employee retirement systems starting in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's child care regulations by requiring the state to create advisory committees that include parents and affected organizations to help develop and review safety rules. These committees must consist of at least 12 members and will guide the creation of standards covering staff qualifications, facility safety, and operational practices for licensed child care centers and homes. The legislation also establishes a 90-day grace period for facilities to comply with new rules, unless there is an immediate health or safety risk. Additionally, it clarifies that schools operating child care centers on campus are exempt from certain fire safety rules if the building is already certified as safe for educational use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a written process for child care licensees to request a review and appeal of certain rule violations. The new procedure specifically applies to cases where a violation does not lead to the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew a license, or an injunction. The department must establish this system within 90 days of the bill's effective date and make the process publicly available on its website. By adding Section 12a to the existing child care licensing law, the legislation aims to provide a formal avenue for organizations to challenge specific regulatory determinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to clarify when law enforcement must collect and forward biometric data, such as fingerprints, following an arrest. It requires agencies to gather this information for specific serious offenses, including felonies and certain misdemeanors, and mandates that the data be sent to the state police within 72 hours. The legislation also outlines procedures for destroying biometric data if a person is released without charges or if an arrest record is expunged, ensuring that digital records are removed when appropriate. Additionally, the bill includes a provision to remove references to sodomy from a 1925 statute regarding criminal history records.

Maddy summaryHB 4433 removes sodomy between consenting adults from the list of crimes that allow judges to close preliminary court hearings to the public. This change means that cases involving consensual adult sodomy will no longer be eligible for closed-door proceedings, ensuring they remain open to public observation like other criminal cases. The bill applies specifically to the state's Code of Criminal Procedure and affects how magistrates handle pre-trial hearings for this specific offense.