Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's civil rights laws to require employers and educational institutions to include a "multiracial" option on forms that ask individuals to identify their race or ethnicity. The legislation mandates that these forms must define "multiracial" as having parents of different races and must remove the generic "other" category. If a federal agency rejects the "multiracial" classification when receiving data, the bill instructs covered entities to redistribute those responses to approved racial categories based on their proportion in the general population. The rules apply to private employers and schools but do not affect public bodies or state universities, which are already governed by separate data collection laws.
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Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new law requiring employers in Michigan to provide severance pay to eligible employees when they close a facility, relocate operations at least 100 miles away, or conduct a mass layoff of 20 or more workers. To qualify for this pay, an employee must have worked at the location for at least one year and not have been fired for cause, while the facility itself must have employed 20 or more people and paid out $2 million or more in the previous year. The severance amount is calculated as one week's pay for each year of employment, and employers must also notify the state labor department at least 90 days before these events occur. If an employer fails to make these payments, they face civil fines and are liable for the unpaid amount plus an additional four weeks' pay, which employees can recover through court action.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections for Michigan residents purchasing Medicare supplement insurance by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on health status, medical history, or claims experience. It specifically applies to individuals enrolling during their six-month open enrollment period, those who have had prior coverage, and people switching insurers within 60 days of their birthdate to maintain the same policy. Under the new rules, eligible applicants cannot face preexisting condition exclusions if they have at least six months of continuous creditable coverage, and insurers must offer these policies to everyone regardless of age. The legislation also clarifies which types of insurance do not count as creditable coverage, such as accident insurance, workers' compensation, and limited dental or vision plans.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a specific section of Michigan's Management and Budget Act that previously required state agencies to use particular racial and ethnic classifications in their official documents. The legislation is tied to a companion bill, meaning it will only become law if both measures are passed together. By removing this requirement, the bill allows state agencies to stop using those specific categories in their writings.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to conduct regular inspections of barbershops and barber colleges after their initial opening inspection. Under the new rules, a board member or department representative must be permitted to enter these businesses during regular operating hours to verify compliance with state laws and regulations. The provision directly affects barbershop owners, barber college administrators, and the state agency responsible for overseeing these occupations.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's governmental immunity laws to clarify when public employees and agencies are protected from lawsuits for injuries or property damage. It maintains broad immunity for officials acting within their authority unless their conduct involves gross negligence, while explicitly preserving existing protections for judges, legislators, and high-level executives. The legislation also defines specific exceptions, such as removing immunity for medical care provided in certain hospitals and ensuring liability remains for underground facility damage. Additionally, it establishes that public universities and school districts cannot claim immunity for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees or agents.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for filing civil lawsuits against the state of Michigan specifically for cases involving criminal sexual conduct. It creates an exception to the standard requirement that plaintiffs must file a notice of their claim within one year of the incident. By linking this change to a companion bill, the legislation allows victims of criminal sexual conduct to bypass the usual strict filing deadlines that apply to other types of property damage or injury claims. The measure is designed to ensure that these specific cases can proceed in court without being dismissed due to missed procedural time limits.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's hunting laws to clarify the requirements for minors and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities who hunt under supervision. It mandates that these individuals must be accompanied by a specific mentor or guardian who meets age and licensing criteria, particularly when the hunter cannot obtain standard hunter safety certification. Additionally, the legislation updates rules for purchasing hunting licenses by requiring proof of prior experience or training for adults born after 1960, while allowing exceptions for apprentice and mentored licenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure code to establish specific sentencing guidelines for violating maritime traffic rules in the Straits of Mackinac. It directly affects boaters and captains operating watercraft in that area by clarifying the penalties for failing to use a required maritime pilot or for anchoring in prohibited zones. The legislation does not create new rules but instead updates the legal framework to ensure consistent punishment when these existing safety requirements are broken.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for large watercraft, defined as vessels over 700 feet long, navigating the Straits of Mackinac. It mandates that these vessels must be guided by a licensed maritime pilot and strictly prohibits the use of anchors or any equipment that could touch the lake bottom within the designated area. Additionally, the legislation requires the state to install buoys to mark navigation hazards and designates specific emergency anchorage zones. Owners of obstructions in the straits are also required to mark their property with buoys within 90 days to ensure safe passage. Violations of these rules are classified as felonies, carrying potential prison sentences, fines, and mandatory reimbursement for environmental cleanup costs.