Sen. Sylvia Santana

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about the issue. The bill directly affects the members of the legislative body by asking them to formally acknowledge the importance of mental health support and suicide prevention efforts. It highlights the urgency of the crisis by citing statistics on suicide rates and the barriers to treatment, such as stigma and cost, while promoting the 988 lifeline as a resource for those in distress. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage the community to invest in mental health resources and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety standards for smoke alarms sold in Michigan, requiring that most devices be powered by a battery that cannot be easily removed or replaced. Starting 18 months after it takes effect, manufacturers and sellers must ensure these alarms use a non-removable battery or another long-lasting power source capable of functioning for at least 10 years. The law exempts devices that are hardwired into a building's electrical system, connected to a central monitoring service, or equipped with wireless internet capabilities. Violations of these standards are classified as civil infractions and can result in fines of up to $500 for those who distribute or sell non-compliant alarms.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax laws to impose stricter penalties and collection procedures when property owners fail to file a transfer affidavit within 45 days of selling or buying a property. If a buyer or seller does not notify the assessing office of a change in ownership, the property's taxable value will be adjusted retroactively to the date of the transfer, triggering additional taxes, interest, and daily fines based on the property type and sale price. The bill outlines specific fine amounts, such as $20 per day for large commercial or industrial properties and $5 per day for other properties, while also allowing local officials to waive these penalties in cases of reasonable cause. Furthermore, it clarifies that these penalties become the personal liability of the individual who failed to file the notice if the property is sold again before the debt is paid, and it establishes a 35-day window for owners to appeal the resulting tax increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's penal code to establish a specific parole eligibility process for individuals convicted of first-degree murder who were sentenced without the possibility of parole. It requires courts to commit these defendants to the Department of Corrections for incarceration pending a sentencing hearing, which must be held within 45 days. The legislation defines specific crimes that trigger life sentences without parole, including murders committed via poison, lying in wait, or during the commission of other serious felonies like kidnapping and robbery. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for terms such as "peace officer" and "major controlled substance offense" and includes a provision for individuals convicted before 1980 to become eligible for parole. The measure will only take effect if a companion bill, SB 0972, is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Corrections Code to clarify how parole eligibility is calculated for inmates serving consecutive sentences and those subject to disciplinary time. It establishes specific rules for when the parole board gains jurisdiction over prisoners, ensuring that time served is computed based on the total minimum terms of all sentences rather than just the current one. Additionally, the legislation outlines the conditions under which life sentences may become eligible for parole, specifying required years served and interview schedules for the parole board to review these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates February 1 of each year as "Blue Star Mothers Day" in Michigan to honor the organization Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. The legislation recognizes the group's long-standing work supporting military families, including welcoming veterans home and caring for mothers of service members. By officially naming this date, the state acknowledges the contributions of the organization without changing any laws or requiring specific actions from individuals. The act takes effect 90 days after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's corrections code to establish a parole board with 13 members, requiring at least four of them to have no prior employment history within the state Department of Corrections. The legislation sets specific eligibility rules for parole, particularly for individuals convicted of serious crimes, mandating that they serve their minimum prison sentences before becoming eligible for release. Additionally, the bill requires that prisoners serving minimum terms of two years or more must obtain a high school diploma or equivalent, with certain exceptions for older inmates or those with specific disabilities. These changes aim to structure the parole review process and define clear criteria for when incarcerated individuals may be considered for freedom.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Michigan Promise Zone Authority Act to update the definitions of key terms used in the program. It clarifies who qualifies as an eligible entity, such as local school districts in areas with high poverty rates, and expands what counts as qualified educational expenses to include costs like housing, food, and computer equipment. The changes ensure that local governments have a clearer framework for committing financial resources to help students from these specific communities pay for postsecondary education and vocational training.

Maddy summarySB 634 updates Michigan's insurance code to align with the state's health insurance exchange by clarifying definitions for roles like navigators and certified application counselors. The bill establishes strict rules requiring these individuals to be state-certified before they can receive funding or assist people with health plan enrollment. It explicitly prohibits them from selling insurance or recommending specific plans, limiting their duties to providing impartial information and helping consumers select coverage. Additionally, the legislation mandates privacy training and background checks for these roles to protect personal data.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the State Housing Development Authority Act to update definitions and funding rules for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund. It clarifies terms such as "downtown area" and "adjacent neighborhood" and expands the list of eligible applicants to include various types of corporations, municipalities, and partnerships focused on affordable housing. The legislation establishes specific requirements for how fund money must be allocated, mandating that at least 25% support general rental projects and 30% target extremely low-income households through supportive or transitional housing. Additionally, it requires that any rental project receiving fund assistance reserve at least 20% of its units for households earning no more than 60% of the area median income.