Rep. Amos O'Neal

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's civil procedure laws to strengthen penalties for landlords who unlawfully evict tenants or interfere with their right to occupy a property. It allows tenants to recover three times their actual damages, up to $2,000 or $200 per day, whichever is greater, and permits courts to award additional punitive damages in cases involving violations of court orders, prolonged interference, or repeated misconduct. The legislation also establishes specific exceptions where landlords may legally enter premises, such as when acting under a court order, making necessary repairs, or dealing with deceased tenants after following strict notification and waiting periods. Furthermore, the bill requires that any civil fines imposed for egregious conduct be deposited into the state housing fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to modernize how landlords and tenants communicate regarding security deposits and property damage. It requires landlords to provide contact information for sending notices via email, text messages, or other digital methods, while also mandating that tenants notify landlords of their forwarding addresses within four days of moving out. The legislation establishes specific timelines for landlords to send itemized damage claims and for tenants to respond, allowing these communications to occur through various channels including text messages and email. If a landlord fails to send a damage notice within the required timeframe, the bill treats this as an agreement that no damages are owed, requiring the full security deposit to be returned immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the annual budget for Michigan's Department of Corrections for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, providing approximately $2.17 billion in funding. The legislation allocates these resources across several key areas, including administrative support, offender rehabilitation programs, field operations for parole and probation, and the maintenance of correctional facilities. Specific funds are designated for staff salaries, inmate education and job training, technology upgrades like body-worn cameras, and various grant programs aimed at reducing recidivism. By authorizing these expenditures from state general funds and other revenue sources, the bill enables the department to carry out its daily operations and long-term correctional goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of May 19-25, 2024, as Emergency Medical Services Week in Michigan to honor the contributions of first responders, paramedics, and other healthcare providers. It encourages communities across the state to hold programs and ceremonies during this period to recognize the vital work of these professionals. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of emergency medical services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan to pay employees their accrued paid vacation leave when employment ends, with specific exceptions for furloughs or unlimited leave policies. It also mandates that wages earned during crop harvesting be paid within three days of voluntary termination, while other wages must be paid as soon as they can be accurately calculated. The legislation applies to all types of employers, including private companies, government agencies, and educational institutions, and defines key terms like "fringe benefits" and "furlough" to clarify the law's scope. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to ensure timely compensation for workers leaving their jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for working parents in Michigan starting in the 2024 tax year. It allows eligible taxpayers with at least $10,000 in earned income to receive up to $5,000 for each child aged three or younger and up to $2,500 for each child between three and six years old. The credit is limited to three children per family and will be refunded to parents if the amount exceeds their total tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives a constitutional requirement that normally mandates the state legislature be notified before salary increases for certain state employees take effect. The change allows immediate pay raises for specific conservation officer positions within the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, bypassing the usual timeline that requires approval at the start of a fiscal year. This action enables compensation adjustments agreed upon by the state employer and the Michigan State Employees Association to become effective right away, even though the standard process would have delayed them until the next budget cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Act to create a state program that recognizes colleges and universities in Michigan as hunger-free campuses. To earn this designation, institutions must implement specific measures such as forming student-led task forces, allowing the use of SNAP benefits on campus, hosting food awareness events, and providing physical food pantries or stigma-free food access. Additionally, designated schools are required to develop meal credit donation programs and conduct annual student surveys on hunger to track progress. The Department of Education will oversee the program, set the necessary rules, and compile comparative profiles of participating campuses based on survey results.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 2024 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Michigan to highlight the challenges faced by children in the foster care system and to honor the volunteers and professionals who support them. The measure does not create new laws or change state policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public engagement and awareness. By recognizing the importance of stability, family reunification, and support for youth aging out of care, the bill aims to draw attention to the ongoing needs of these children.