Sen. Rosemary Bayer

Maddy summarySB 466 amends two sections of Michigan's 1971 Age of Majority Act (MCL 722.52 & 722.53) to update a reference to 1915 Public Act 31 regarding tobacco regulations. It specifically revises how the law cites this historical tobacco statute, ensuring the reference is accurate within the current legal framework. This is a procedural correction to the law's wording, not a change to tobacco regulations or age restrictions themselves. The bill directly affects the legal text of the Age of Majority Act, aligning it with existing tobacco-related statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates three specific dates in the Islamic Hijri calendar as official holidays in Michigan: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Ghadeer. It directly affects state employees and government operations by requiring these days to be recognized as holidays, similar to other state-recognized observances. The legislation specifies the exact calendar dates for each holiday based on the Islamic lunar calendar, ensuring they are officially acknowledged within the state. This change does not alter existing laws regarding holiday pay or time off but formally adds these religious observances to the list of recognized state holidays.

Maddy summarySB 908 designates Lunar New Year as an official holiday in Michigan. The bill defines the holiday based on the Chinese calendar and recognizes it as a celebration for residents of Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and other East or Southeast Asian origins. This legislative action adds Lunar New Year to the state's list of recognized holidays without changing existing holiday schedules or requiring paid time off for employees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the United States and Taiwan to sign additional trade agreements and an agreement to avoid double taxation. It also calls for Taiwan's inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Additionally, the bill asks Michigan businesses to refer to the region as "Taiwan," citing the Taiwan Relations Act as legal justification. The measure is based on the significant economic ties between the two entities, including trade in goods, services, and agricultural products.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes designating April 13 and April 14 as official state holidays known as Vaisakhi or Baisakhi. These dates are recognized as significant holy days for both Sikh and Hindu communities. If passed, the legislation would require state government offices and schools to close on these two days each year. The measure directly impacts state employees, public school students, and any individuals observing these religious holidays.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 905 proposes to officially designate Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as a state holiday in Michigan. This legislation would recognize the new moon day on the eighth lunar month of the Indic calendar as a day of observance for Hindus and Jains. The bill does not create a paid day off for state employees but formally acknowledges the cultural significance of the holiday within the state.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 109 designates April 2026 as Community College Month to honor Michigan's 31 community and tribal colleges. This resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the role these institutions play in education and workforce development. A copy of the resolution will be sent to each community college to highlight their contributions to the state.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 297 aims to protect registered professional nurses by ensuring their refusal to work beyond their predetermined schedule is not grounds for administrative action. It also establishes penalties for hospitals that violate rules related to mandatory overtime for nurses, as referenced in section 21526. Hospitals found in violation could face an administrative fine of $1,000 for each instance, along with other potential sanctions. This bill amends the Public Health Code to implement these provisions, directly affecting nurses and hospitals.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 296 prohibits hospitals from requiring registered professional nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled, on-call, or voluntarily agreed-upon hours. It mandates that nurses working 12 or more consecutive hours receive 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately afterward. Exceptions to this prohibition include declared states of emergency, mass casualty incidents, certain patient-care procedures, and situations where an oncoming nurse is unexpectedly absent. The bill also protects nurses from retaliation if they refuse work assignments that exceed these limits and requires hospitals to post notices informing nurses of these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's social work licensure requirements by adding a new provision that allows individuals who have passed the required postdegree experience but failed the licensure exam to apply for a waiver if they complete an additional 2,000 hours of supervised practice. It directly affects aspiring social workers who have met educational and experience requirements but have not yet passed the state licensing examination. The key mechanism introduces a waiver process for the exam requirement when applicants can demonstrate substantial additional supervised experience beyond the standard two-year postdegree requirement. The bill also clarifies supervision requirements for limited licenses, specifying that individuals practicing under a limited license must work under the supervision of a licensed master's social worker within approved agencies or facilities.