Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Open Meetings Act to clarify and expand the specific situations in which public bodies can hold closed sessions. It directly affects government agencies, school districts, and other public organizations by defining new grounds for meeting privately, such as discussing security threats to students, interviewing job candidates, or negotiating collective bargaining agreements. The legislation also adds protections for higher education institutions by allowing private discussions during the search for a university president, provided a diverse search committee is used and the final vote remains public. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits the independent citizens redistricting commission from meeting in closed sessions for any reason. Overall, the changes aim to balance the need for confidentiality in sensitive matters with the public's right to know how government decisions are made.

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's Department of Health and Human Services to screen children entering foster care for eligibility for state and federal benefits within 90 days and to apply for those benefits if it serves the child's best interests. Starting in October 2026, the state generally cannot use a child's earned income or benefits to pay for their foster care, though exceptions exist for special needs services or conserving funds for future needs. The department must act as a responsible manager of these funds, providing regular accounting to the child and their guardian ad litem, and offering financial literacy training to older youth. Additionally, the law mandates that any assets or income the child owns be transferred to them when they leave the system or turn 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan State Police to destroy all firearms surrendered through municipal gun buyback programs rather than reselling them. It mandates that the department dispose of these weapons by ensuring every part is destroyed and explicitly prohibits the resale of any firearm collected under such programs. The law applies to any weapon capable of expelling a projectile by the action of an explosive, including those that can be readily converted to do so.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan laws regarding the disposal of firearms seized by law enforcement agencies. It allows agencies to either auction or destroy these weapons through the state police department, or alternatively, sell them to licensed dealers or keep them for official use by peace officers. Before any disposal occurs, the law requires agencies to check if the gun was reported lost or stolen and to provide a 30-day public notice for owners to claim the firearm if they are legally eligible to possess it. The legislation also mandates that agencies keep detailed records of all sales for at least seven years and grants them immunity from civil lawsuits when following these procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan laws regarding the disposal of firearms seized by law enforcement agencies. It allows these agencies to either auction the weapons to licensed dealers for law enforcement use, keep them for official use by peace officers, or forward them to the state police for disposal. Before any firearm is discarded, the agency must check if it was reported lost or stolen and provide a 30-day notice to potential owners and the public, allowing authorized individuals to claim the weapon. The legislation also grants immunity from civil lawsuits to agencies that follow these disposal procedures and requires them to keep detailed records of any sales for at least seven years.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws to allow judges and magistrates to issue and sign search warrants using electronic methods, such as fax or computer networks. It permits affidavits and warrants to be transmitted digitally, provided that the judge or magistrate orally administers the oath and the document is signed electronically or via a scanned signature. The law also clarifies that these digital documents are considered official originals and do not require a physical seal. Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for when search warrant affidavits become public records, allowing for temporary secrecy if an investigation is ongoing or if victim and witness safety is at risk. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial officers who handle search warrant requests and executions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in Michigan to get written consent from a parent or legal guardian before using anyone under 18 as an informant or a participant in law enforcement activities. The law defines specific types of agencies covered, including police departments, sheriff offices, and university police, while excluding minors who are legally emancipated. If an agency uses a minor without this required consent, parents can go to court to stop the practice and may receive at least $500 plus their legal fees as compensation.