Sen. John Cherry

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the Fair and Open Competition in Governmental Construction Act from Michigan law, effectively ending the legal framework that previously governed how state and local construction projects must be awarded. By repealing the specific statutes, the legislation eliminates the requirements that were designed to ensure fair bidding processes for public works. The change directly affects government entities and contractors who previously had to follow the rules established by the 2011 act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Personal Data Privacy Act in Michigan to protect consumers by regulating how businesses collect, process, sell, and share their personal information. It requires companies to provide clear notices about data practices, bans deceptive user interface designs known as dark patterns, and mandates a universal opt-out mechanism for consumers to control their data. The law also creates a registration system for data brokers and defines specific protections for sensitive categories such as children, biometric data, and health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to create and distribute a model firearm safety program for students in grades 6 through 12 by June 1, 2025. The curriculum must cover topics such as proper handling, maintenance, storage, and hunting practices, totaling at least 10 hours of instruction led by certified hunter education instructors. While schools can offer this as an optional class or integrate it into existing courses, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited from being brought onto school property during these sessions. Additionally, the bill ensures that any student or their parent can request an exemption from the course without penalty or loss of academic credit. Finally, completing this instruction satisfies the state's hunter safety course requirement for obtaining a hunting license.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain state construction projects from the prevailing wage requirements established by the 2023 Prevailing Wage Act. Specifically, it applies to projects funded by school-related millages, bonds, or bond proposals that were authorized before February 13, 2024. By creating this exception, the legislation ensures that construction work on these specific school-funded projects does not need to pay the mandated hourly rates and fringe benefits required for other state projects. The change directly affects contractors and bidders who would otherwise be subject to those wage rules on the exempted projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan State Police retirement system to clarify definitions and rules for calculating retirement benefits. It specifically changes how "final average compensation" is calculated for officers who joined after June 10, 2012, by using the average salary from their last five years of service instead of the previous two-year period. The legislation also expands the list of eligible retirement plans that officers can use to roll over their pension funds and clarifies terms related to deferred retirement and leave time programs. These changes directly affect state law enforcement officers who are currently active, separating, or already retired under the state employees' retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Michigan law enforcement officers hired after a specific date to purchase retirement credit for their prior service as state employees. To qualify, eligible officers must pay an amount calculated by the retirement system's actuary to cover the value of that previous work, provided they are not already receiving a pension for the same time period. The legislation permits officers to make these payments in installments using either tax-deferred contributions or additional payments, with a deadline of May 30, 2025, to start the process and a four-year window to finish paying. If an officer completes the purchase, the time worked as a state employee will count toward their retirement benefits under the new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Michigan state employees in law enforcement roles to voluntarily switch their retirement plans from the general state system to the Michigan State Police retirement system. Eligible workers, including corrections officers and conservation officers, can make this change by submitting a written election between January 2, 2025, and June 6, 2025. If a participant chooses to switch, the change becomes permanent on June 7, 2025, and they will no longer be part of the original retirement plan. The law requires that married employees obtain their spouse's signature on the election form, though exceptions may be made for special circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 653 amends Michigan's Age of Majority Act to clarify that the law does not apply to the Nicotine and Tobacco Act, which sets the legal age for purchasing tobacco products at 21. This change ensures that the state's general adult age of 18 does not conflict with specific tobacco regulations that restrict sales to individuals 21 and older. The bill directly affects tobacco retailers and consumers by maintaining the existing 21-year-old age limit for tobacco purchases despite the broader shift in the age of majority. It achieves this by explicitly listing the Nicotine and Tobacco Act as an exception to the provisions that would otherwise treat 18-year-olds as adults for all legal purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires railroad companies in Michigan to operate freight trains with a crew of at least two people. The rule applies to all freight trains but includes specific exceptions for locomotives used in helper service, which assists trains with mechanical issues or steep grades, and hostler service, which moves trains short distances within a yard. Additionally, the requirement does not apply if a federal law or regulation already mandates a crew of two or more for freight trains in the state. By adding this section to the existing railroad code, the legislation establishes a clear minimum staffing standard for freight operations while acknowledging current federal standards and specialized operational scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Michigan to adopt and publicly post a written policy outlining the rights and responsibilities of patients. The new policy must include specific protections such as non-discrimination, access to medical records, privacy during treatment, and the right to refuse care while being informed of the consequences. A critical provision ensures that hospitals must stabilize a pregnant patient in labor before terminating the patient-provider relationship due to a refusal of treatment. Additionally, the bill mandates that facilities provide clear information about billing, financial assistance, and the staff responsible for a patient's direct care.