Sen. Sue Shink

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan to align its policies with federal requirements for certified community behavioral health clinics, ensuring the state does not create rules that conflict with federal standards. It mandates the development of a process to determine new clinic locations in specific regions to prevent overlapping service areas. Additionally, the bill requires continued cooperation with the federal government on these clinics, allowing the legislature to vote on opting out, which would give state officials 12 months to stop operations if chosen. The legislation will not take effect unless it is tied to the passage of a companion bill, SB 1000.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's social welfare act to establish a new prospective payment system that funds certified community behavioral health clinics based on anticipated costs rather than individual services. It requires the state department to develop payment rates using actuarial methods and mandates that any new clinic sites approved starting in 2028 undergo a review process to prevent service duplication and ensure geographic distribution. The legislation defines eligible clinics as nonprofit or government-run entities and prioritizes approval for sites operated by community mental health services programs. Additionally, the bill outlines specific policies to mitigate conflicts of interest, define retaliatory actions, and create a dispute resolution process, while noting that implementation depends on future legislative funding.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1002 allows school districts in Michigan to issue high school diplomas to women who left school between 1940 and 1946 to work or support the war effort during World War II. To receive a diploma, these individuals must apply through the Michigan veterans affairs agency, and the application can be submitted by family members or designated representatives. The bill amends existing legislation that currently provides diplomas to male veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict.

Maddy summarySB 1003 directs the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to coordinate efforts to conserve 30% of the state's land and water by 2030, including private, tribal, and public holdings. To achieve this goal, the bill requires the department to create six regional conservation plans by December 2026 that address biodiversity, climate resilience, and environmental justice while soliciting input from tribes, local governments, and various organizations. These plans must be based on scientific data, include assessments of current funding and programs, and be updated every ten years unless disapproved by legislative committees. Additionally, the bill establishes new definitions for terms like "ecosystem services" and "habitat connectivity" and mandates the development of an online tool to assist with land use decisions as technology and funding become available.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan courts to prioritize less restrictive alternatives before appointing a guardian for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that judges first explore options such as using a power of attorney, a trust, a representative payee, supported decision-making, or partial guardianship to meet the individual's needs. If a full guardianship is deemed necessary, the law specifies that it must be limited strictly to what is required for protection and that personal liberty and financial freedom should not be restricted more than needed. The changes aim to encourage maximum self-reliance and independence while ensuring protection from neglect, exploitation, and abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to require courts to inform families about alternatives to full guardianship before a petition is filed. These alternatives include limited guardianship, conservatorships, and supported decision-making, which is defined as a process where friends, family, and professionals help individuals understand their options so they can make their own choices. Additionally, the legislation mandates that a guardian ad litem must be appointed to represent the individual during incapacity hearings unless they already have their own legal counsel. The changes directly affect individuals facing incapacity proceedings and the family members or interested parties who petition for guardianship.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 991 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to prohibit businesses from using certain algorithms and protected class data to set prices. This law directly affects companies that sell goods or services by banning the practice of adjusting prices based on factors like race, age, or other personal characteristics. The bill adds a new section to the statute to explicitly make this pricing behavior unlawful, ensuring that consumers are not charged different amounts for the same items based on their personal data.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 993 amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to explicitly classify certain violations of the Shopping Reform and Modernization Act as unfair trade practices. The bill directly affects businesses and consumers by clarifying that specific deceptive acts, such as false environmental claims about recyclability or misleading representations of product origin, are unlawful. It updates existing definitions to include new categories of consumer fraud, ensuring these specific violations are treated with the same legal weight as other deceptive business practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from using dynamic pricing systems that change the total price of consumer items based on factors like time of day, weather, or customer demographics. It allows businesses to adjust prices only for spoilage, restocking, or limited promotions if an employee makes the change uniformly and clearly displays the new price. The legislation also permits digital price tags as long as the displayed price matches the final charge and remains static. Any violation of these rules would be treated as a breach of the state's consumer protection laws. The bill currently includes a provision that prevents it from taking effect until a companion bill, SB 0993, is also passed.

Maddy summarySB 995 proposes to create a new state tax credit for Michigan employers starting in 2026, allowing them to reduce their income tax liability by 50% of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit they would have received. This credit is available only to businesses that hire Michigan residents who are certified by the state unemployment agency as members of specific targeted groups facing employment barriers. The bill specifies that any unused portion of the credit cannot be refunded if it exceeds the employer's tax bill, and it includes provisions for flow-through entities to claim credits based on their share of business income.