Sen. John Cherry

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's Essential Health Provider Repayment Program to include midwives alongside other healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and dentists. By adding midwives to the list of eligible "designated professionals," the legislation allows them to receive loan repayments or expense reimbursements if they agree to work full-time in designated health resource shortage areas. The key mechanism involves a contractual agreement where the state repays a portion of the professional's education debt or training costs in exchange for a service commitment that matches the repayment amount or lasts for at least two years. This change aims to incentivize midwives to practice in underserved communities to help address local healthcare needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's civil rights protections by explicitly adding pregnancy and lactating status to the definition of "sex" under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. It directly affects businesses, educational institutions, and public services by prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on these specific conditions. The law clarifies that places of public accommodation include various private clubs, such as country clubs and sports organizations, ensuring broader coverage against unfair treatment. By amending existing statutes, the measure aims to ensure that pregnant people and those who are lactating are treated with the same protections as other individuals in public spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to allow individuals to specify their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if they become pregnant while a patient advocate designation is in effect. It clarifies that a person's pregnancy status does not limit their right to designate a patient advocate or to include instructions on medical care, anatomical gifts, and decision-making standards. The legislation explicitly prohibits using a patient advocate designation to withhold or withdraw treatment from a pregnant patient in a way that results in the patient's death, while still permitting clear and convincing instructions on other end-of-life decisions. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for accepting the designation, including the need for the proposed advocate to sign an acceptance form and adhere to fiduciary standards.

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 allows courts in Michigan to admit pre-recorded video statements from certain vulnerable witnesses, such as children under 16 or adults with developmental disabilities, in specific criminal cases involving abuse or assault. To support these witnesses during testimony, the law requires judges to permit them to have a support person or a trained courtroom support dog present in the courtroom. The bill also mandates that video statements be recorded with specific details, including a running time clock and a list of people present, to ensure their reliability. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the rules for notifying other parties in the case when a witness intends to use these supports during a trial.

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 summarySB 651 amends Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act to strengthen regulations on the sale of nicotine and tobacco products to minors. The bill requires retailers to check a customer's photographic identification in person before selling any tobacco or vapor products and prohibits the sale of these items through vending machines. It establishes a tiered penalty system that imposes escalating fines on individuals and businesses for repeated violations, ranging from $100 for a first offense to license revocation after a sixth violation within three years. Additionally, the legislation creates a new Nicotine and Tobacco Regulation Fund in the state treasury to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Reproductive Health Data Privacy Act in Michigan to protect personal information related to reproductive health status. It directly affects businesses and organizations that provide reproductive health services by requiring their explicit, opt-in consent before collecting, processing, or selling such data. The law also prohibits the use of geofencing technology to track individuals near reproductive health facilities and defines specific rules for what counts as valid consent, excluding vague terms of service or deceptive design. Additionally, the act outlines civil sanctions and remedies for violations, ensuring that only de-identified or aggregated data is exempt from these privacy protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act to allow owners of registered repair facilities to operate an additional facility under the same registration. The legislation clarifies definitions for terms such as "auxiliary facility" and "BAIID service," which refers to work on breath alcohol ignition interlock devices. It also updates requirements for mechanics, specifying that certified specialty or master mechanics working at an auxiliary facility are not required to display their certificates at that specific location. These changes aim to streamline regulations for vehicle repair businesses while maintaining oversight over mechanic certifications and service descriptions.