Maddy summarySB 156 expands the authority of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to investigate complaints about the Department of Corrections. The bill requires the ombudsman to create a standardized complaint form (available online and in correctional facilities) and grants access to department records - including prisoner medical, mental health, and mortality records - without needing a release. It also allows the ombudsman to enter correctional facilities for inspections at any time (including emergencies like riots), consult with qualified experts after background checks, and hold informal hearings. This directly affects prisoners, their family members, prisoner advocates, and the Department of Corrections by strengthening oversight of correctional operations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 385 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to exclude specific environmental cleanup standards from the definition of a "rule." It adds a new exclusion (item t) for "cleanup criteria and target detection limits" developed by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy under environmental protection laws. This means these standards will not be subject to formal rule-making procedures like public hearings or comment periods. The bill directly affects how the environmental agency establishes and implements cleanup standards for contaminated sites.
Maddy summarySB 392 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require cleanup of contaminated sites to meet residential and safe drinking water standards, unless technically infeasible. It directly affects property owners, developers, and environmental remediation companies responsible for cleaning up hazardous substance releases at contaminated sites. The bill mandates that cleanup efforts must restore affected aquifers to drinking water standards where possible, stop contamination spread, and comply with state/federal environmental laws. Exceptions allowing less stringent cleanup are only permitted if the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy documents technical infeasibility and confirms the alternative approach still protects public health and the environment. This bill updates existing cleanup standards (sections 20118, 20120a, and related sections) to strengthen residential and water quality protections.
Maddy summarySB 391 updates Michigan's environmental cleanup rules by establishing clearer standards for determining natural background levels of hazardous substances in soil. It defines "background concentration" as naturally occurring levels in soil, allowing property owners to demonstrate contamination is not due to human activity using specific soil surveys or studies. The bill directly affects developers, property owners, and environmental agencies involved in site cleanups by reducing unnecessary cleanup requirements when contamination matches natural background levels. Key provisions include adding new definitions (like "background concentration" and "baseline environmental assessment") and revising cleanup criteria to align with state soil surveys, making it easier to distinguish natural soil levels from pollution requiring remediation.
Maddy summarySB 343, the "Reporting of Law Enforcement Officer Misconduct Privacy Act," protects the privacy of people who file complaints about police misconduct. It requires law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and others handling such complaints to keep the complainant's identity confidential unless the person requests disclosure, gives written permission, or disclosure is required by court order, criminal proceedings, or internal investigations. The law prohibits unauthorized disclosure of identifying information and imposes a $500 civil fine for violations. It directly affects individuals reporting misconduct and all entities receiving or investigating such complaints.
Maddy summarySB 337 amends Michigan's penal code to prohibit law enforcement officers from tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses. It specifically bans altering, destroying, or concealing body-worn camera footage, and prevents officers from retaliating against people who report crimes or from influencing witness statements. Violations can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties including up to 10 years in prison for serious offenses involving threats or violence. The law directly affects law enforcement officers by imposing new criminal penalties for misconduct related to evidence handling and witness protection.
Maddy summarySB 342 amends Michigan's 2006 law on law enforcement disclosures by clarifying the definition of "involuntary statement." It specifies that a statement by a law enforcement officer is *not* considered involuntary if the officer knowingly and intentionally provided false or misleading information about a material fact. This change directly affects how courts evaluate police testimony regarding material facts, ensuring intentional falsehoods are excluded from the "involuntary statement" exception. The bill modifies Section 1 of 2006 PA 563 (MCL 15.391), with no new requirements or penalties added.
Maddy summarySB 339 creates a standardized "separation of service record" that Michigan law enforcement agencies must maintain when officers leave their positions. It requires agencies to document the reason for separation and any active disciplinary investigations within one year of departure, finalize the record within 5 business days, and provide written notice to the officer. Officers can review the record, request corrections within 7 days, or submit a written statement disagreeing with inaccuracies if unresolved. This directly affects current and former law enforcement officers transitioning between agencies and their employers, ensuring transparency in separation documentation. The bill amends Michigan's existing law enforcement standards act to formalize these procedures.
Maddy summarySB 340 amends Michigan's Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act (MCL 423.507, 423.509) to clarify when law enforcement agencies can share personnel records. It updates rules for releasing "provisional service records" and separation-of-service records under related laws (2017 PA 128), ensuring these specific records are exempt from standard deletion rules. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to note if investigations into employee conduct were unfounded and prohibits using old investigation files for future hiring or promotions. It directly affects police departments, training academies, and the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards when handling employee records.
Maddy summarySB 344 modifies Michigan's property tax credit for individual income tax filers by changing the percentage rates used to calculate the credit. It directly affects homeowners who claim this credit, particularly those with lower property values who benefit from the credit against their state income tax. The bill amends specific sections of Michigan's Income Tax Act to adjust the credit percentages, making the calculation more precise. This change alters how much property tax can be deducted from income tax liability for eligible residents.