Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to allow public bodies to hold meetings remotely for members with disabilities or those on military duty. It establishes specific rules for when remote attendance is permitted, such as requiring all non-disabled members to be physically present after December 31, 2021, while exempting certain agricultural and retirement system groups from this restriction. The legislation also mandates that electronic meetings must support two-way communication between members and the public, including options for typed comments during public speaking periods. Additionally, it defines disability as a condition that substantially limits major life activities and clarifies that a physical meeting location is not required for these electronic sessions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive plan to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities across the state. It mandates the department to monitor minority health progress, fund related programs, and establish a dedicated webpage that shares data on morbidity, mortality, and studies regarding biased medical care. The legislation also directs the department to recruit more minority health professionals, provide technical assistance to local coalitions, and include statistics on obstetric racism and violence in state health records.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of a 92.98-acre state-owned property in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The legislation outlines the specific boundaries of the land and establishes that the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget will manage the transfer process while the receiving department covers associated survey and closing costs. Once approved by the State Administrative Board, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will assume full administrative control and responsibility for the property and any improvements on it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan law enforcement agencies to create written policies mandating that officers intervene when they witness another officer using excessive force. The legislation defines excessive force as any action beyond what is objectively reasonable to protect safety or comply with laws, and it obligates officers to stop such incidents whenever it is safe and feasible to do so. Additionally, the bill mandates that officers who observe excessive force must report the incident to a supervisor within 72 hours, and it establishes that failing to intervene or report is grounds for disciplinary action, which can include dismissal or demotion. Agencies are also required to provide copies of these new policies to all their officers, while retaining the ability to adopt stricter rules if they choose.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Biased and Unjust Care Reporting Act to establish a system for reporting mistreatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It defines specific harmful behaviors, including obstetric racism and obstetric violence, and requires the state Department of Civil Rights to use a validated survey tool to collect these reports. The department must then compile and share de-identified data on the frequency of these incidents with state officials, while ensuring no personal identifying information is disclosed. The legislation directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals seeking gynecological care and the health facilities and professionals providing that care.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's school attendance laws to require kindergarten enrollment for children who turn five by September 1, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It allows parents to enroll children who turn five by December 1 in kindergarten, though schools can recommend against it while the parent keeps the final decision. The law also mandates that all public schools and academies offering first grade must provide kindergarten. Additionally, the bill clarifies that school districts are not required to operate their own schools directly and sets new age limits for compulsory attendance through age 18 for most students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to suspend a retailer's license for 14 days if they make six or more bounced payments to a wholesaler within a 12-month period. The rule applies specifically to retailers who fail to honor their payment obligations to suppliers on different dates over a consecutive year. By adding this new section to the state's liquor control code, the legislation establishes a clear financial threshold that triggers automatic license suspension.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from carrying firearms on the premises of specific state buildings, including the Michigan State Capitol and the Anderson House Office Building. It also bans guns in various public and private locations such as banks, churches, courts, theaters, sports arenas, day care centers, hospitals, and licensed liquor establishments. The law includes exceptions for security personnel, peace officers, licensed concealed carry holders serving as state legislators, and anyone with the property owner's permission. Violating these restrictions is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $100, or both.

Maddy summarySB 651 amends Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act to strengthen regulations on the sale of nicotine and tobacco products to minors. The bill requires retailers to check a customer's photographic identification in person before selling any tobacco or vapor products and prohibits the sale of these items through vending machines. It establishes a tiered penalty system that imposes escalating fines on individuals and businesses for repeated violations, ranging from $100 for a first offense to license revocation after a sixth violation within three years. Additionally, the legislation creates a new Nicotine and Tobacco Regulation Fund in the state treasury to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Reproductive Health Data Privacy Act in Michigan to protect personal information related to reproductive health status. It directly affects businesses and organizations that provide reproductive health services by requiring their explicit, opt-in consent before collecting, processing, or selling such data. The law also prohibits the use of geofencing technology to track individuals near reproductive health facilities and defines specific rules for what counts as valid consent, excluding vague terms of service or deceptive design. Additionally, the act outlines civil sanctions and remedies for violations, ensuring that only de-identified or aggregated data is exempt from these privacy protections.