Sen. Kevin Hertel

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety standards for smoke alarms sold in Michigan, requiring that most devices be powered by a battery that cannot be easily removed or replaced. Starting 18 months after it takes effect, manufacturers and sellers must ensure these alarms use a non-removable battery or another long-lasting power source capable of functioning for at least 10 years. The law exempts devices that are hardwired into a building's electrical system, connected to a central monitoring service, or equipped with wireless internet capabilities. Violations of these standards are classified as civil infractions and can result in fines of up to $500 for those who distribute or sell non-compliant alarms.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's real estate licensing laws by adding new definitions for terms like "associate broker," "independent contractor relationship," and "limited service agreement." It specifically clarifies that a worker is considered an independent contractor only if there is a written agreement treating them as such for tax purposes and at least 75% of their pay comes from real estate commissions. The legislation also establishes precise rules for counting classroom hours for licensing education, distinguishing between in-person and distance learning formats. These changes directly affect real estate brokers, salespeople, and clients by standardizing how agency relationships and professional training are defined and recorded.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in Michigan to provide a plain English summary of their policies to consumers, ensuring the document clearly explains coverage details, costs, and limitations. The legislation mandates that these summaries include specific information such as deductibles, copayments, provider networks, and instructions on how to access the full policy or a list of doctors. Additionally, the bill establishes strict timelines for delivering this summary, such as within seven business days of receiving an application or within 30 days of a policy renewal. By standardizing these disclosures, the measure aims to help individuals better understand their health insurance options and make informed decisions about their coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new nonprofit corporation in Michigan to operate a state-based health insurance exchange that helps consumers buy and sell qualified health plans. The legislation creates a Board of Exchange with specific powers and duties, including rules to prevent conflicts of interest among its members. It also defines the roles of state officials, sets up a marketplace platform for insurance plans, and outlines how the exchange can charge fees to fund its operations. By creating this exchange, the bill aims to foster a competitive health insurance market and provide information to consumers about available coverage options.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan vehicle code rules to allow golf carts on public streets in cities and villages with populations under 65,000, while also permitting smaller townships to do so unless a county board votes against it. To operate a golf cart on these streets, individuals must be at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and follow standard traffic laws such as obeying signals and staying to the right. The legislation also establishes a process for local governments to request permission to use golf carts on specific state highways that are not interstates, provided the roads serve as connectors for local areas or provide access to services. Additionally, the law prohibits local governments from charging fees to register golf carts or their operators on the approved lists.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, a 1964 civil rights campaign in Mississippi where volunteers worked to register Black voters and establish community schools. The bill directly affects the state legislature by formally recognizing the historical significance of the event and honoring the Michigan residents who participated as volunteers. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the struggle for voting rights and the sacrifices made by activists during that period. The text highlights the efforts of various organizations to challenge segregation and notes the violent opposition faced by participants, including murders and beatings. Ultimately, the resolution affirms the importance of voting rights for all citizens without altering any existing legal framework.

Maddy summarySB 227 amends Michigan's child care laws to update and clarify the definitions of various facilities and staff members regulated by the state. The bill specifically revises how "child care staff" and "child caring institution staff" are identified, setting age thresholds at 16 and 18 years old respectively for individuals who work with or have unsupervised access to children. It also provides more precise definitions for specific settings like children's therapeutic group homes, which are limited to caring for no more than six minors with developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbances. These changes aim to ensure that the legal framework accurately reflects the roles and responsibilities of those working in licensed child care environments.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding for the Michigan State Police for the fiscal year 2024-2025. It establishes the specific budget amount the department can spend during this period and sets the rules for how those funds must be used. The legislation is a financial measure that directly impacts the state police agency by defining its available resources for the upcoming year.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's no-fault insurance law to update the rules for selecting personal protection insurance coverage limits. It requires drivers to actively choose one of four coverage options - ranging from $50,000 to unlimited benefits - when purchasing or renewing auto insurance policies issued after July 1, 2020. The selection process mandates that drivers sign a form acknowledging the benefits and risks of each option, with a specific provision allowing drivers enrolled in Medicaid to select the lowest $50,000 limit if their household members have adequate health coverage. Additionally, the bill clarifies how coverage applies to rideshare vehicles and requires insurers to offer an optional rider for additional attendant care coverage. The legislation will only take effect if a companion bill, SB 0905, is also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's insurance code to clarify how no-fault personal protection benefits are paid to individuals injured in vehicles used for commercial passenger transport, such as taxis and ride-sharing services. It ensures that passengers and operators in these vehicles receive benefits from the vehicle's insurer, with specific exceptions for certain types of buses and vehicles where the owner has opted out of coverage. Additionally, the legislation updates definitions to include transportation network company vehicles and establishes rules for how benefits are distributed when multiple insurance policies are involved. The bill also clarifies the order of priority for claims and allows insurers to share costs equitably when paying benefits under the same priority level.