Sen. Sue Shink

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 summarySB 895 modifies Michigan's habitual offender sentencing guidelines to adjust how prior felony convictions increase penalties for new crimes. The bill establishes three tiers based on the number of prior convictions: one prior felony can lead to a sentence up to 1.5 times the standard maximum, two prior felonies can result in a sentence up to twice the standard maximum, and three or more prior felonies can trigger a mandatory minimum of 25 years for serious crimes. These provisions apply to individuals convicted of felonies in Michigan or those that would be considered felonies if committed in the state, regardless of where the prior convictions occurred. The legislation also includes specific rules to prevent double-counting of convictions from the same incident and excludes any prior convictions that occurred more than 10 years before the new offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to establish worker transition programs that provide training, job placement assistance, and fair wages when restructuring or transferring ownership of facilities. It mandates that acquiring entities in utility sales offer employment to existing workers for at least 30 months before hiring outside replacements and must maintain current wage rates and benefits during that period. The legislation also directs the Public Service Commission to set service quality and reliability standards for utilities, including prohibiting extra fees for credit card payments and requiring at least one free payment option for residential customers. Utilities must annually report on their compliance with these standards, and the commission will review performance data to ensure proper system operation and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school disciplinary procedures to require school officials to consider specific student factors before suspending or expelling a pupil, including age, disciplinary history, disability status, trauma experiences, and housing stability. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption that such actions are unjustified unless the school board demonstrates it evaluated all required factors and held a hearing within 10 school days. The legislation mandates that schools provide detailed written notice to students and parents before hearings, including evidence summaries, and ensures continued access to educational services during removal periods. These changes apply to suspensions and expulsions under various school code sections but exclude cases involving firearm possession in weapon-free zones.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the President and Congress to reverse actions from the Trump Administration that the bill's sponsors claim are driving up energy costs. It calls for reinstating renewable energy programs, closing inefficient coal plants, and passing a war powers resolution to end the conflict with Iran, which the bill states has increased fuel prices. The measure directly addresses Michigan residents, farmers, and businesses facing higher energy and fertilizer expenses, and it requests that copies be sent to federal and state leaders.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan school districts to appoint independent decision makers to conduct disciplinary hearings for students facing suspension of more than 10 days, expulsion, or alternative placement for more than 10 days. These independent decision makers must remain neutral by not investigating the incident, providing testimony, or presenting evidence, and they must apply a preponderance of the evidence standard when making decisions. The bill also grants students the right to be represented by an attorney or advocate at these hearings and mandates that schools provide written reports explaining the findings and appeal rights to students and their parents. Additionally, the legislation ensures that students with Individualized Education Programs are invited to meet with their IEP team before any disciplinary decision is implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's school discipline laws to strengthen consequences for physical assaults between students in grades 6 and above. It requires school boards to suspend or expel students who commit physical violence at school for up to 180 days, while also making it the responsibility of expelled students and their families to find alternative education programs. The legislation adds new reporting requirements that mandate school districts to annually submit detailed data on expulsions, including student demographics such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and economic disadvantage. Additionally, the bill requires schools to post crime statistics on their websites and collect weekly incident data to help identify safety issues and allocate resources appropriately. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for handling student violence and improve transparency in school safety reporting.

Maddy summarySB 508 prohibits law enforcement officers from checking immigration status or enforcing immigration laws in specific "sensitive locations," including schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, and facilities serving vulnerable groups like children or crime victims. The bill allows exceptions only if a court orders entry or if an immediate threat to public safety requires action. It directly affects state and local law enforcement officers and individuals present at these locations during routine activities. The law creates a new legal framework to limit immigration enforcement in settings where people seek safety or services.