Rep. Amos O'Neal

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for how fines are handled in certain state civil infraction cases related to environmental protection. Instead of directing these specific fines to public libraries, the legislation allows a portion of the revenue to be dedicated to a grant program assisting farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. The change applies only to fines resulting from violations of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, leaving other civil fine distributions unchanged. This measure requires the passage of two other related bills before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Michigan from covering any medical service if the patient's required copayment or coinsurance exceeds 50% of the total cost. It applies to new policies starting after the law is passed and to existing policies when they are next renewed or changed. If an insurer includes such a high-cost service in a plan, they would be violating this rule, and the state insurance director is authorized to investigate complaints about these violations. The measure aims to ensure that patients do not face excessive out-of-pocket costs for services included in their health insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist Michigan farmers whose land, crops, or water are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The program would provide financial support for medical testing and care, purchasing or selling farmland, cleaning up contamination, and replacing lost income or mortgage payments. To receive funding, farmers must submit detailed applications outlining their financial history and a plan for how they intend to use the grant money, such as transitioning to alternative revenue streams or ceasing operations. The funds for these grants would come from a newly created state fund, potentially financed by increases in state civil infraction penalties. The legislation requires the department to create specific rules to administer the program and defines key terms like "agricultural land" and "contamination" to guide eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses that participate in round-up donation programs to clearly disclose which organization will receive the donated funds. By adding a new section to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, the legislation mandates that these disclosures be made prominently to ensure consumers understand where their money is going. The rule applies to any merchant offering a round-up option where a customer's purchase total is rounded up to the nearest dollar, with the difference donated to a charity or nonprofit. This change aims to increase transparency in charitable giving practices by preventing confusion about the recipient of the contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Child Custody Act to strengthen how courts handle parenting time when domestic violence or abuse is alleged. It requires judges to specifically consider certain evidence, such as protection orders, arrests, and victim assessments, while also establishing stricter rules for admitting expert testimony in these cases. The legislation further restricts courts from removing children from safe, bonded caregivers or ordering reunification therapy unless the treatment is proven safe and effective, and it mandates that courts address the abusive parent's behavior before blaming the other parent for a child's resistance to contact. These changes aim to ensure that decisions regarding custody and visitation prioritize the safety and well-being of children in families affected by violence or coercive control.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of highway M-11 in Kent County as the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Drive." The affected roadway stretches from the intersection with 3 Mile Road south to the bridge over the Grand River. By amending state highway naming laws, the legislation officially assigns this commemorative name to the route. The change applies immediately and does not alter any traffic rules or funding provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists in Michigan by modifying existing educational and clinical experience standards. It clarifies that applicants must hold a master's degree from an accredited program and complete specific graduate-level coursework in family studies, therapy methodology, and ethics. The legislation also adjusts the amount of supervised clinical hours needed, increasing the post-degree requirement to 1,000 hours with stricter supervision ratios and face-to-face contact mandates. Additionally, it allows for a waiver of certain clinical hour requirements for individuals who have earned a doctoral degree in the field.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan law to automatically remove certain criminal convictions from public records without requiring individuals to file a formal application. It establishes specific timeframes and eligibility criteria for expunging misdemeanors and felonies, such as requiring seven or ten years to pass since sentencing or release from prison. The law includes strict limitations, such as capping the number of convictions that can be cleared and excluding serious offenses like assaultive crimes, crimes of dishonesty, and those involving minors. Implementation of these automatic expungements is scheduled to begin two years after the bill's effective date, pending necessary funding and technological setup by state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Used Motor Vehicle Warranty Act" to offer buyers of used cars a short-term cancellation option. It requires dealers selling used vehicles with a purchase price of $50,000 or less to provide customers with a contract that allows them to return the car without cause within two days of purchase. Under this agreement, buyers can drive the vehicle up to 150 miles and have it inspected by a mechanic of their choice during that two-day window. If a customer decides to cancel, they must pay a restocking fee that varies based on the vehicle's price, ranging from $175 to $500. The law excludes motorcycles, off-highway vehicles, and cars costing more than $50,000 from these requirements, and it does not apply to private sales between individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts health insurance companies in Michigan from covering medical services where the patient's share of the cost, such as copayments or coinsurance, exceeds 50% of the total service price. It directly affects health insurers and the individuals enrolled in their plans by setting a clear limit on how much patients can be charged out-of-pocket for covered benefits. The legislation requires the state insurance director to handle any complaints related to violations of this new rule. Changes made by the bill apply only to new insurance policies or to existing policies when they are renewed or modified after the law takes effect.