Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for drivers who fail to take necessary precautions around blind pedestrians using travel aids like canes, walkers, or guide dogs. It directly affects vehicle operators and blind individuals by clarifying that a blind person's failure to use these aids cannot be used as evidence of negligence in injury or death cases. The legislation establishes specific misdemeanor and felony charges with higher fines and potential jail time for violations that result in injury or the death of a blind person or their service animal. Additionally, it mandates that peace officers investigate reported violations and requires prosecutors to inform the blind pedestrian of their decision to charge, along with the reasons for that decision.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to strengthen protections against employment discrimination and unequal pay. It allows individuals who win a case to receive triple the amount of damages they would normally get and clarifies that these damages include reasonable attorney fees. Additionally, the bill changes the rule for when a legal claim starts, setting the date to when the employee actually learns about the violation rather than when it happened. The law also specifies that lawsuits can be filed in the county where the incident occurred or where the employer is based. These changes take effect 90 days after the bill becomes official law.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies from awarding construction contracts to companies that do not hold a Fair Paycheck Workplace Certificate, aiming to ensure fair labor practices in state-funded projects. It also mandates that construction contracts be awarded to the responsive and responsible best value bidder, a determination based on price, technical design, personnel quality, and other qualitative factors. Additionally, the legislation requires a preference of up to 10% of the contract amount to be given to qualified disabled veterans who are the lowest bidders. While maintaining a preference for Michigan-based firms and clean corporate citizens in general state purchases, the primary new restriction specifically targets the construction sector by barring vendors without the required labor certification from receiving state contracts.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from paying different wages to employees performing equal work based on protected attributes such as race, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, or marital status. It establishes that wage differences are only permissible if they result from a seniority system, a merit-based system, a production measurement system, or other factors unrelated to these protected characteristics. Additionally, the legislation ensures that an employer cannot lower an employee's current wage rate simply to comply with the new equal pay requirements. By repealing a conflicting provision in a previous workforce act, this law strengthens protections against wage discrimination for workers across various industries.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan election law to expand the list of documents that qualify as valid identification for voting and voter registration. It directly affects voters and election officials by clarifying which specific IDs, such as driver's licenses, passports, military cards, and student IDs, are acceptable. The legislation explicitly excludes mobile versions of certain licenses and state ID cards from this list while also defining other key terms like "absent voter" and "educational institution." The bill does not take effect until three other related Senate bills are also passed into law.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's public health code to strengthen the regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, for properties not connected to public sewer lines. It establishes new definitions for various waste systems and grants local health departments expanded authority to inspect, evaluate, and enforce compliance with these regulations. The legislation also clarifies that connecting to an available public sewer system is a priority for public health and safety.
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 requires health insurance plans in Michigan to cover a 12-month supply of prescription birth control at once, provided the medication is on the plan's list of covered drugs. The law mandates that insurers also cover related medical services, such as doctor visits and exams, needed to prescribe and dispense these contraceptives. While the coverage must be available regardless of when the patient first started the plan, standard cost-sharing rules like copayments and deductibles still apply, and the requirement does not extend to the final month of a plan year. The policy takes effect on December 31, 2025, affecting all health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state or covering Michigan residents.
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.