Sen. Erika Geiss

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Michigan. It formally recognizes the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, advocacy groups, and service providers working to combat human trafficking and support survivors, while emphasizing the importance of public awareness in identifying and preventing trafficking. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to advance prevention awareness.

Maddy summarySB 764, the "Open Caption Accessibility Act," requires movie theaters with 8 or more screens to provide open captioning for at least two weekly showings of each film that plays five or more times per week (Friday-Thursday). Open captioning means captions displayed on screen that cannot be turned off, directly benefiting deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers. Theaters must advertise captioned showings similarly to other screenings, post public notices about requesting captioned showings, and maintain records for the Attorney General’s office. This law applies to all qualifying theaters operating in Michigan, with enforcement through the Department of Attorney General.

Maddy summarySB 25 allows owners of motor vehicle repair facilities in Michigan to operate additional locations under the same registration. It creates a new "auxiliary facility" category (defined in Section 14(3)) that permits a single facility owner to run multiple locations without separate registrations, as long as they meet specific requirements. This directly affects small business owners in the auto repair industry seeking to expand their operations. The bill amends key sections of Michigan's Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act to implement this change, streamlining registration for multi-location repair businesses.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 136 primarily eliminates the requirement for healthcare providers to notify patients about dense breast tissue after mammography. This change directly impacts patients undergoing mammograms and the medical facilities that perform these screenings in Michigan. The bill also enacts broader amendments concerning the use of radiation machines for mammography procedures. These modifications are made by amending and repealing specific sections within the existing Public Health Code.

Maddy summarySB 158 prohibits the use of automated programs (bots) to purchase event tickets online in bulk. It directly affects consumers trying to buy tickets fairly and venues or ticket sellers using such bots to manipulate sales. The bill creates a new legal prohibition against these automated ticket-buying practices, making it illegal for businesses to deploy them. This policy change aims to prevent scalping and ensure equitable access to tickets for the general public.

Maddy summarySB 349 would allow Michigan high school students to opt out of the workforce readiness assessment portion of the Michigan Merit Examination. The bill amends MCL 380.1279g to provide this opt-out option directly to students taking the exam. It does not change the overall examination requirements but gives students a choice regarding this specific assessment component. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Education and Workforce.

Maddy summarySB 761 requires permits for large-scale water withdrawals in Michigan, affecting entities like municipalities, utilities, or industries planning new or expanded water use exceeding 1 million gallons per day (or 2 million gallons for certain systems). It mandates applicants to submit detailed plans, pay a $2,000 fee, and demonstrate compliance with conservation measures, watershed protection, and environmental impact standards before permits are granted. The bill includes a 45-day public comment period, a 120-day review timeline for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and conditions that water must be returned to its source watershed and cause no adverse resource impacts. This amendment updates Michigan’s water withdrawal rules under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, focusing on sustainable management of water resources.

Maddy summarySB 82 creates new legal protections to enhance the safety of judges, their families, and household members. The bill directly affects judges and their immediate household by limiting public access to personal information like home addresses and phone numbers. Key provisions require courts to implement measures that restrict the disclosure of such details and establish protocols for physical safety. This legislation aims to strengthen existing safeguards against potential threats by making personal information less accessible to the public.

Maddy summarySB 483 creates a palliative care advisory task force within Michigan's health department. The task force will study current palliative care services and make recommendations to improve access and quality for patients facing serious illness. This affects Michigan's healthcare system by establishing a new body to address gaps in end-of-life care services.

Maddy summarySB 738, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from asking about or denying rental applications based solely on an applicant's criminal record before issuing a conditional offer. It directly affects renters with criminal histories and requires landlords to provide written notice about criminal record screening before collecting application fees. Key provisions include banning pre-offer inquiries into criminal history (except for federal requirements), allowing landlords to consider only specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or recent sex offenses requiring registration) after a conditional offer, and mandating an individualized assessment with mitigating evidence for denials. Landlords must also disclose if criminal records are part of their screening process.