Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing law to officially rename the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsperson. It directly affects the Michigan Department of Corrections by granting the ombudsperson expanded powers to investigate complaints from prisoners, their families, legislators, and advocates regarding administrative actions or facility issues. Key provisions allow the ombudsperson to access prisoner medical and mental health records, hire qualified experts, and use photographic equipment during investigations. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a standardized complaint form available both online and in correctional facility libraries to streamline how grievances are filed.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Education to establish a statewide behavioral threat assessment and management program for all public and nonpublic schools. The program requires the department to build a secure, cloud-based system that gathers data from various sources, such as law enforcement and mental health records, to identify and assess potential threats to school safety. Schools must use approved models to categorize student risk levels, create intervention plans, and manage case information while adhering to strict security protocols that limit access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, the legislation mandates regular training for staff, quarterly audits of system access, and annual reporting to state officials on the program's activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to allow security deposits to be returned via electronic transfer instead of only by check or money order. It requires landlords to mail tenants an itemized list of claimed damages within 30 days of moving out, but permits them to send the refund directly to a bank account, mobile payment app, or internet payment service if they choose. If a landlord uses this electronic method, they must deposit the funds into the tenant's account within 10 days of mailing the notice. The bill also mandates that the damage notice include a specific, bolded statement informing tenants they must respond within seven days or forfeit the claimed amount.
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.
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 updates the definitions and licensing rules for adult foster care facilities in Michigan to clarify who and what counts as a facility under the law. It directly affects the state Department of Health and Human Services, facility operators, and the adults receiving care by refining categories such as family homes, small group homes, and large group homes based on resident capacity. The legislation also adjusts the definition of "adult" to include individuals placed in specific care settings and clarifies which existing institutions, like nursing homes or child camps, are excluded from these new rules. By revising sections of the Adult Foster Care Facility Licensing Act, the bill aims to create clearer standards for how these residential care environments are classified and regulated.
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 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 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.