Sen. Erika Geiss

Maddy summarySB 449 requires Michigan hospitals to create and implement financial assistance programs for uninsured patients and those with high medical debt relative to income. Specifically, hospitals must offer up to 100% discounts for patients earning at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines, base eligibility on objective income metrics, and publish program details clearly on bills, statements, and websites in plain language. Hospitals must also report annual data on program usage and debt relief to the state health department by 2027, with violations subject to $10,000 civil fines. The law directly affects uninsured patients and hospital financial operations, aiming to reduce barriers to care for low-income individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in Michigan to notify the Secretary of State within 20 days of making specific changes to election rules, such as altering how winners are determined or switching between district-based and at-large voting systems. It also mandates that localities inform the state at least 20 days before removing voters from registration lists and within five business days of requests to inspect voting equipment or ballot data. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must post these notifications on the state website in an accessible format and publicly list any local government that fails to comply with these reporting deadlines. These provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2028, after a consultation period with county clerks, municipal clerks, and voting rights advocates.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 961 creates a new State Voting Rights Act in Michigan to protect the voting rights of racial, color, and language minority groups. The bill prohibits local governments and officials from implementing election rules or practices that create disparities in voter participation or impair the ability of minority groups to elect candidates of their choice. Key provisions include establishing definitions for voting methods and protected classes, requiring a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances, and creating a fund to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Voting and Elections Database and Institute, a new entity designed to collect, archive, and make election data publicly available at no cost. The institute will be created through an agreement between the Secretary of State and public research universities, with the university selecting the director and assuming responsibility for most operating costs. Key provisions include the centralization of precinct-level election results, voter registration lists, polling place locations, and demographic estimates, which must be maintained for at least 12 years before permanent archival. The institute will also offer research opportunities, training classes, and technical assistance to local governments and the public while implementing rigorous cybersecurity standards for the data it holds.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 963 creates the Language Assistance for Elections Act to require Michigan local governments to provide election materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. The law mandates that counties, cities, and townships must offer translated ballots, voting instructions, and signage if their population includes a specific number of voters who share a single non-English language. The Secretary of State will publish a list of affected jurisdictions and languages annually, while also providing certified translations and electronic voting systems to ensure accuracy. Local governments will be reimbursed for additional costs associated with implementing these translation and testing requirements.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1038 updates Michigan's environmental laws to impose stricter regulations on facilities that store, handle, or process bulk solid materials like coal and coke. The bill requires these facilities to obtain an annual certificate of operation, install real-time air quality monitors around their perimeters, and maintain detailed logs of equipment maintenance and dust control activities. Key operational changes include mandating enclosed storage for piles, limiting outdoor pile heights, enforcing vehicle cleaning and wheel washing, and requiring weather stations to monitor wind conditions for effective dust suppression. Additionally, the bill directs the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to issue compliance orders within 45 days of enactment, setting a schedule for full implementation of these new standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's existing laws regarding post-conviction DNA testing for individuals convicted of felonies. It allows defendants to petition the court for DNA testing of biological evidence collected during their original investigation, with specific conditions for those convicted before and after January 8, 2001. The legislation outlines the process for requesting testing, including requirements to prove the evidence is available and relevant to the case, and establishes rules for handling the results. If the testing excludes the defendant as the source of the evidence, the court must appoint counsel and hold a hearing to decide if a new trial is warranted. Additionally, the bill ensures that victims receive written notice of these petitions and hearings when the victim's identity is known.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover insulin and specific diabetes-related devices without charging patients any cost-sharing fees. The law explicitly removes deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket expenses for these items, ensuring they are fully paid by the insurer. It applies to all policies that are delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, directly affecting both insurance providers and insured individuals with diabetes. The provision covers essential supplies such as blood glucose test strips, glucometers, lancets, and insulin syringes alongside insulin itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover prescription inhalers for asthma and other serious breathing conditions without charging the patient. It specifically prohibits insurers from denying or limiting coverage based on how often a patient needs to refill their inhaler, as long as a doctor has prescribed the medication. The law defines covered devices to include metered-dose inhalers, nebulizers, and dry powder inhalers, while excluding over-the-counter temporary relief products. By mandating that these prescriptions be provided at no cost to the insured, the legislation ensures immediate access to necessary life-saving medication for those with life-threatening bronchial ailments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan that cover prescription drugs to also provide epinephrine at no cost to the insured. The law applies to insurers delivering, issuing, or renewing health policies within the state and mandates that they include this specific medication without charging the patient. By adding a new section to the state's insurance code, the measure ensures immediate coverage for emergency allergy medication as part of existing drug benefits.