Sen. Jeff Irwin

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Michigan Mental Health Code to allow psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants to petition for involuntary outpatient treatment orders. Previously, only physicians, psychologists, and other specific professionals could file these petitions to extend treatment for individuals who might refuse care voluntarily. The legislation defines these new eligible providers and requires that their clinical assessments be reviewed by a psychiatrist before a petition is submitted. This change aims to broaden the pool of qualified health professionals who can initiate extended treatment plans under the state's mental health code.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands dispute resolution options for people receiving mental health services in Michigan by mandating that they be offered mediation to settle conflicts with service providers. It requires health programs to inform individuals of their right to mediation when services begin and annually thereafter, while also ensuring that mediators are trained, independent, and knowledgeable about behavioral health laws. The legislation sets specific timelines for the mediation process, requiring it to start within 10 business days and conclude within 60 days, and establishes that any agreements reached are legally binding. Additionally, the bill mandates that contracted mediation organizations report their outcomes to the state department every six months to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's medical assistance program to cover over-the-counter contraception and emergency contraception without a prescription starting in January 2026. The law defines contraception as FDA-approved products on the state's preferred drug list that prevent pregnancy, while emergency contraception is defined as drugs used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. This change directly affects the state's healthcare coverage rules by removing the requirement for a doctor's order to access these specific birth control methods.

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 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 a new legal process in Michigan that allows misdemeanor defendants with mental health issues to be diverted from jail into a supervised outpatient treatment program instead of facing immediate criminal prosecution. Under the new rules, prosecutors, defendants, or their attorneys can request an assessment to determine if a person qualifies for this diversion, and if approved, a judge can order community-based treatment for up to 180 days. During this period, the criminal charges remain pending but are automatically dismissed after the treatment term ends, provided the defendant complies with the plan, while any violations of the treatment order are handled as a separate civil matter rather than a criminal one.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan election laws to standardize the format and content of petitions used for constitutional amendments, legislation, and candidate nominations. It mandates specific layout requirements, such as bold headings and standardized warnings, while also requiring petition circulators to clearly indicate whether they are paid or volunteers. Additionally, the bill clarifies the counting process by specifying that only the first valid signature from any individual will be counted if a duplicate appears on a petition. These changes aim to streamline the petitioning process and ensure consistency across different types of election filings.

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 requires medical malpractice insurance companies in Michigan to provide the Department of Health and Human Services with specific information about their policies covering perinatal care services upon request. The law mandates that insurers submit this data annually, and the department must forward the collected information to the Department of Health and Human Services within 60 days for a required study. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that prevents it from taking effect unless a separate related bill, Senate Bill 818, is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires petition circulators in Michigan to either show voters where the summary of a proposed measure is located or read that summary aloud before collecting a signature. The law directly affects individuals gathering signatures for ballot initiatives and the sponsors of those petitions. If a circulator fails to follow this rule, the petition sponsor faces a civil penalty of up to $1,500 or $50 for each violation, whichever amount is higher. This change aims to ensure voters are informed about the purpose of a measure before they sign a petition.