Sen. Erika Geiss

Maddy summarySenate Bill 909 modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial compensation after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. The bill updates legal definitions for terms like 'new evidence' and 'plaintiff' while establishing specific requirements for filing a compensation claim, such as proving innocence through new evidence or a gubernatorial pardon. It also introduces a process to notify victims of the original crime about compensation applications and outlines how discovery and legal arguments will proceed during these cases.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates June 2026 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Pride Month in Michigan. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition of the LGBTQ+ community's history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality rather than enacting new laws or policies. By adopting this resolution, the state legislature acknowledges the cultural and civic value of the community and aligns with national traditions of celebrating Pride Month.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 127 formally designates June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. The resolution highlights the pervasive impact of gun violence in the United States and references specific tragedies, including the deaths of Hadiya Pendleton and others. It encourages citizens to support community efforts to prevent gun violence and to participate in awareness activities, such as wearing orange. This legislative action serves as a commemorative measure rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan to align its policies with federal requirements for certified community behavioral health clinics, ensuring the state does not create rules that conflict with federal standards. It mandates the development of a process to determine new clinic locations in specific regions to prevent overlapping service areas. Additionally, the bill requires continued cooperation with the federal government on these clinics, allowing the legislature to vote on opting out, which would give state officials 12 months to stop operations if chosen. The legislation will not take effect unless it is tied to the passage of a companion bill, SB 1000.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's social welfare act to establish a new prospective payment system that funds certified community behavioral health clinics based on anticipated costs rather than individual services. It requires the state department to develop payment rates using actuarial methods and mandates that any new clinic sites approved starting in 2028 undergo a review process to prevent service duplication and ensure geographic distribution. The legislation defines eligible clinics as nonprofit or government-run entities and prioritizes approval for sites operated by community mental health services programs. Additionally, the bill outlines specific policies to mitigate conflicts of interest, define retaliatory actions, and create a dispute resolution process, while noting that implementation depends on future legislative funding.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1002 allows school districts in Michigan to issue high school diplomas to women who left school between 1940 and 1946 to work or support the war effort during World War II. To receive a diploma, these individuals must apply through the Michigan veterans affairs agency, and the application can be submitted by family members or designated representatives. The bill amends existing legislation that currently provides diplomas to male veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict.

Maddy summarySB 1003 directs the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to coordinate efforts to conserve 30% of the state's land and water by 2030, including private, tribal, and public holdings. To achieve this goal, the bill requires the department to create six regional conservation plans by December 2026 that address biodiversity, climate resilience, and environmental justice while soliciting input from tribes, local governments, and various organizations. These plans must be based on scientific data, include assessments of current funding and programs, and be updated every ten years unless disapproved by legislative committees. Additionally, the bill establishes new definitions for terms like "ecosystem services" and "habitat connectivity" and mandates the development of an online tool to assist with land use decisions as technology and funding become available.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 991 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to prohibit businesses from using certain algorithms and protected class data to set prices. This law directly affects companies that sell goods or services by banning the practice of adjusting prices based on factors like race, age, or other personal characteristics. The bill adds a new section to the statute to explicitly make this pricing behavior unlawful, ensuring that consumers are not charged different amounts for the same items based on their personal data.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 993 amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to explicitly classify certain violations of the Shopping Reform and Modernization Act as unfair trade practices. The bill directly affects businesses and consumers by clarifying that specific deceptive acts, such as false environmental claims about recyclability or misleading representations of product origin, are unlawful. It updates existing definitions to include new categories of consumer fraud, ensuring these specific violations are treated with the same legal weight as other deceptive business practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to establish a list of approved elementary reading curriculum materials that schools must use. It mandates the department to approve specific screening and progress-monitoring assessments while also developing a literacy coach model to support teachers in implementing evidence-based reading instruction. The legislation outlines detailed duties for literacy coaches, such as modeling strategies and providing data-driven intervention, and sets a deadline for districts to report on individual reading improvement plans by the 2027-2028 school year. Additionally, the bill directs the department to create dyslexia expertise and regularly update a dyslexia resource guide to assist schools in addressing reading difficulties. These changes directly affect public school districts, academies, and the educators who work within them.