Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summarySB 1115 updates the Michigan Medical Records Access Act to clarify who qualifies as an authorized representative for accessing medical records, specifically adding life insurance beneficiaries and heirs for deceased patients. The bill also expands the definition of a "qualified individual" to include veterans and others appealing disability benefit denials, ensuring they are not charged fees for obtaining their own records. Additionally, the legislation modifies fee structures for medical records companies, setting a $20 initial request fee and establishing lower per-page rates for paper copies to reduce costs for patients and their representatives. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, medical records companies, and individuals seeking access to their health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's search warrant laws to allow judges and magistrates to issue warrants using electronic methods, such as computer networks or fax, rather than requiring in-person interactions. It permits affidavits and warrants to be transmitted digitally and enables judges to sign these documents from any location within the state. The legislation also clarifies that digital copies of these documents serve as official originals and establishes a timeline for when search warrant affidavits become public records, with exceptions for ongoing investigations. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and judges by modernizing the procedures for obtaining and executing search warrants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale and application of coal tar sealants and other high-polluting pavement sealants within Michigan to reduce environmental contamination. It defines these restricted products by their chemical composition and sets up a system where sellers must keep records of any exemptions for up to three years. The law allows the state director to grant written exceptions for specific research or technology development purposes and establishes a $5,000 fine for violations.

Maddy summarySB 1125 clarifies how Michigan assessors calculate property taxes by specifying which factors must be considered when determining a property's true cash value. The bill explicitly requires assessors to account for limitations on land use, such as conservation easements, and outlines specific maintenance tasks like roof repairs or furnace replacements that should not increase a property's assessed value until it is sold. Additionally, the law instructs local officials to exclude certain costs, such as financing fees and survey expenses, from sales data used to set tax rates. These changes aim to standardize the assessment process for residential, agricultural, and utility properties while ensuring that routine upkeep does not lead to higher tax bills for homeowners.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Critical Health Problems Education Act to strengthen the state's comprehensive health education initiatives. It requires the Department of Education to create a program that guides local school districts in developing health curricula and provides professional training for teachers. A key provision mandates the use of regional school health coordinators, who are qualified professionals funded by state agencies to assist in implementing wellness programs across all schools. Additionally, the legislation expands the department's staff with health education specialists and fosters partnerships between schools and higher education institutions to improve teacher preparation.

Maddy summarySB 1123 amends Michigan's school code to update requirements for health education, specifically focusing on HIV/AIDS instruction and CPR training. The bill mandates that teachers instructing on HIV/AIDS must have specialized training provided by regional school health coordinators, who are funded professionals designed to support comprehensive wellness programs across the state. Additionally, the legislation requires health education curricula for grades 7 through 12 to include CPR and automated external defibrillator instruction, utilizing nationally recognized guidelines and allowing various community members like firefighters and police officers to assist in teaching. The bill also clarifies that teachers do not need to be certified CPR instructors unless the class results in students earning a certification card.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a new crime in Michigan for knowingly removing or damaging a condom during sexual contact or penetration without the partner's consent. The law would apply to individuals engaging in sexual activity where a condom was originally used with the other person's agreement, treating the removal as a form of non-consensual conduct. Penalties for a first offense include up to 90 days in jail or a fine of $10,000, while repeat offenders could face up to one year in jail. By adding this specific provision to the state penal code, the legislation aims to address situations where the use of protection is withdrawn without permission.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance companies to create specific underwriting rules and rating plans that determine which drivers are eligible for coverage based on their risk profile. Eligibility decisions can be based on factors such as vehicle modifications, a history of lapsing insurance coverage, refusal to pay required deposits, or accumulated insurance eligibility points. The legislation requires that every eligible person must still be able to obtain insurance from the company, ensuring that no driver is completely excluded from the market. Additionally, the bill does not take effect unless two related companion bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summarySB 709 amends Michigan's insurance code to update the specific criteria insurers can use when deciding whether to offer automobile insurance to eligible individuals. The bill allows companies to base their decisions on factors such as household driving history, vehicle modifications for speed, past lapses in insurance coverage, and the type or commercial use of the vehicle. Additionally, it permits insurers to require a minimum deposit or higher deductibles based on an applicant's claim history for comprehensive coverage. This legislation also introduces a new provision allowing insurers to deny coverage if an applicant has threatened, harassed, or physically assaulted an employee while the employee was working. The bill includes a tie-bar provision, meaning it will only become effective if two other related bills, SB 0282 and SB 708, are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a waiver allowing individuals recently released from prison to obtain automobile insurance without penalty for a lapse in coverage during their incarceration. It requires applicants to provide a certified statement confirming they were in a correctional facility and released within the last six months to qualify for this exception. By adding this provision to existing underwriting rules, the legislation prevents insurers from refusing coverage, limiting options, or charging higher premiums solely based on the failure to maintain insurance while the person was imprisoned.