Rep. Matt Bierlein

Maddy summaryHB 5407 expands property tax exemptions for surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Michigan. It modifies existing law to include surviving spouses who receive dependency and indemnity compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (under 38 USC 1310-1318), in addition to those already covered. The exemption applies to homestead property owned by the surviving spouse without requiring reapplication after 2025, continuing as long as they don’t remarry. This directly affects eligible surviving spouses of veterans who died while receiving VA disability benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.

Maddy summaryHB 4598 expands Michigan's Organized Retail Crime Act to specifically address new tactics used in theft. It adds provisions criminalizing the acquisition, alteration, or use of stolen gift cards (subsections i(i)-(iii)), fraudulent wireless device purchases (subsections h), and manipulating fire exit alarms (subsections g) as organized retail crime. The bill makes these acts felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fines, or both, and requires offenders to pay restitution to retailers and forfeit stolen merchandise. This directly affects retailers (through enhanced protections) and individuals committing these expanded theft methods, while clarifying that property representation as stolen is sufficient for prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 5823 updates Michigan's mental health code to allow video monitoring in psychiatric hospitals for safety and security purposes, provided specific rules are followed. The bill permits recording in common areas like hallways and activity rooms only after a facility creates written policies on access, retention, and notification to patients and visitors. It also clarifies rules for taking fingerprints, photographs, and audio recordings, requiring consent from the patient, their guardian, or parent before using these methods for services or research. Additionally, the law mandates that video footage cannot be used for treatment purposes and must be kept separate from clinical records, while archived recordings are generally limited to 30 days unless an investigation is underway.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 21, 2026, as Michigan and Taiwan Partnership Appreciation Day within the state of Michigan. It serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the shared democratic values and economic ties between Michigan and Taiwan, while also honoring the contributions of the Taiwanese American community. The measure does not create new laws or alter government operations but instead formally recognizes the existing relationship and mutual benefits between the two regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as County Government Month in Michigan to honor the work of local county officials. It aims to raise public awareness about the essential services counties provide, such as law enforcement, social services, and infrastructure maintenance. The resolution encourages citizens and organizations to participate in programs that recognize these contributions during the specified month. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter existing laws or funding but serves to highlight the importance of county governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2026, as Champions Day in Michigan to honor the state's historic sports achievements from 1935 and recent successes. The resolution encourages citizens to celebrate the 1935 victories of Joe Louis, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings, while also acknowledging Olympic gold medalists and the University of Michigan men's basketball team's 2026 national championship. As a commemorative measure, the bill has no legal requirements or funding provisions and serves solely to recognize these athletic milestones.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the penalties for trespassing in Michigan by raising the maximum jail time from 30 days to 90 days and the maximum fine from $250 to $500 for repeat offenders. It directly affects individuals who enter or remain on another person's property without permission after being asked to leave, as well as those who enter or stay on fenced or posted farm land without consent. The legislation maintains existing protections for process servers attempting to serve legal documents and clarifies that a request to leave is not required to be violated on farm property. These changes would apply to anyone previously convicted of a trespassing violation, making subsequent offenses more severe under current law.

Maddy summaryHB 5251 requires Michigan's medical assistance program (Medicaid for low-income residents) to cover prescribed pediatric extended care for children. This specifically affects low-income children in Michigan who need specialized, long-term medical care beyond standard hospital stays. The bill amends state law to mandate this coverage under existing rules for pediatric extended care (Part 219A of the Public Health Code). The coverage would apply to children receiving medically necessary care as prescribed by a doctor. The bill is contingent on the passage of companion legislation (HB 5252).

Maddy summaryHB 5252 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to create a new licensing category for "prescribed pediatric extended care facilities," which provide specialized long-term medical care for children with complex health needs. The bill establishes specific licensing requirements for these facilities, including standards for staffing, medical oversight, and facility operations, directly affecting providers seeking to operate such services. Key provisions include adding Part 219A to the code and revising existing sections (20106, 20109, 20115, 20161) to incorporate these new requirements. This change aims to ensure consistent safety and quality standards for pediatric extended care facilities across the state. The bill is currently pending in the House Health Policy Committee.