Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's teacher licensing rules to streamline the process for out-of-state and international educators seeking certification in the state. It allows teachers from other states, countries, or federally recognized tribes to receive Michigan credentials without retaking exams if they have at least three years of successful teaching experience in their home region. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all new teachers complete a specific course on diagnosing and remediating reading disabilities before advancing to professional certification. The bill also requires that future revisions to reading standards explicitly include methods for identifying and supporting students with reading disorders. These changes directly affect the Michigan Department of Education and educators currently licensed in other jurisdictions who wish to work in Michigan schools.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the state treasury to support Michigan's behavioral threat assessment and management program for schools. It appropriates $13 million from the general fund for the fiscal year ending in 2025 and allows the state treasurer to accept additional money, grants, or gifts for the fund. The designated department must use these resources to develop, implement, and maintain the program in accordance with existing safety laws, with any unused funds carried forward to the next year. The bill also establishes that these specific funds will not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and must be spent efficiently on the program's designated purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new State Voting Rights Act in Michigan to protect the voting rights of racial, color, and language minority groups. It defines various election methods and protected classes, while also outlining the duties of local government officials and allowing for court-appointed monitors in specific situations. The legislation prohibits discriminatory activities related to voting and sets up a fund to provide remedies and civil sanctions for violations.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions within Michigan's Child Care Organizations Act to clarify who and what falls under state regulation. It specifically revises the criteria for "child care staff members" and "child care organizations" to include a broader range of workers and facilities, such as therapeutic group homes and certain camps. The legislation also removes a previous provision that excluded licensed camps from the act's definition of a child care organization. These changes ensure that the law's terminology accurately reflects the variety of settings and personnel involved in caring for minors.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Camp Licensing Act to create a new regulatory framework for camps in Michigan that provide care and supervision to more than four campers for five or more days in a two-week period. It requires these organizations, including day, residential, and travel camps, to obtain state licenses and adhere to specific safety standards overseen by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. A key provision mandates that staff and administrators undergo criminal history checks, disqualifying individuals with certain convictions related to violence, abuse, or sexual misconduct from working at these facilities. The legislation also sets up a dedicated fund to support licensing operations and includes provisions for liability immunity for licensed camps while prohibiting specific conduct regarding the reporting of incidents.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Michigan Voting and Elections Database and Institute, a new entity designed to collect, archive, and publicly share election data. The institute will be established through a partnership between the Secretary of State and public research universities, with the university selecting the director and assuming most operational costs. Key provisions include maintaining a nonpartisan, free online repository of election results, voter registration lists, polling place locations, and demographic estimates for at least the previous 12 years. The institute will also offer research opportunities, training classes, and technical assistance to local governments and the public while adhering to strict cybersecurity standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates sentencing guidelines in Michigan for specific crimes related to child care and foster care licensing, such as failing to report criminal charges or submitting false reports. It directly affects licensed child care organizations, employees, foster family homes, and group homes by clarifying the maximum penalties for these offenses. The legislation sets a two-year maximum sentence for failure to report arraignment issues and a variable maximum for false reports that trigger high-risk investigations. This change only takes effect on September 1, 2025, and will not become law unless a companion bill, Senate Bill 692, is also enacted.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "language assistance for elections act" to require local governments in Michigan to provide voting materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. Localities must offer these services if they have a specific number of eligible voters who share a non-English language, with thresholds adjusted based on whether the requirement starts before or after January 1, 2030. The secretary of state will publish annual lists of affected areas and languages, while also providing translated documents and ensuring all translations are done by certified professionals rather than relying on automatic tools. Additionally, the law creates a language access advisory council to guide the program and mandates that counties assisting local governments during early voting must also follow these language requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan election laws to expand voting access for older adults and individuals with disabilities by establishing a curbside voting option. Under the new provisions, eligible voters can request to cast their ballots from their vehicles without needing to disclose their age, disability status, or the reason for their request. Election inspectors would verify the voter's registration and allow them to mark and return their ballot in a designated area within 200 feet of the polling place entrance. Additionally, the legislation permits nonprofit organizations to provide transportation to polling locations and allows individuals to offer food, warmth, or other necessities to voters waiting in line.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to add one unit of instruction each on the histories of African Americans, Indigenous Peoples, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other specific ethnic groups starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The mandated lessons must cover contributions to society, local history including discriminatory policies, and civil rights advancements, with the state superintendent providing guidelines developed with community input. School districts must monitor compliance, but instructors have flexibility to integrate these lessons into existing curricula, and the instruction can be delivered online if needed.