Sen. John Cherry

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in Michigan to cover infertility treatments starting in 2027, affecting all individuals with health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state. The legislation mandates comprehensive coverage for diagnostic care, fertility treatments, and preservation services, including at least four complete egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers and costs associated with transferring embryos to a third party. Insurers must provide these benefits without discrimination based on various personal characteristics and cannot impose higher deductibles, waiting periods, or preexisting condition exclusions specifically for infertility services. The law defines infertility broadly to include conditions impacting pregnancy ability and situations where individuals lack the necessary gametes, while also clarifying that coverage applies regardless of whether donor gametes are used or if a surrogate is involved.

Maddy summarySB 481 requires hotels and motels in Michigan to post a human trafficking notice on their premises. This law directly affects all lodging businesses (including motels, inns, and similar properties) that provide temporary accommodations to travelers. The bill amends existing law to mandate that these properties display the notice in a specified manner as directed by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 463 removes criminal penalties and civil fines for minors (under 18) who purchase, possess, or use tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products. The bill eliminates existing legal consequences for these minor offenses, shifting focus away from punishment. It directly affects underage individuals by ending enforcement of penalties under current law (MCL 722.642). The key provision is a "sunset" of these penalties, meaning they would no longer apply once the bill takes effect.

Maddy summarySB 466 amends two sections of Michigan's 1971 Age of Majority Act (MCL 722.52 & 722.53) to update a reference to 1915 Public Act 31 regarding tobacco regulations. It specifically revises how the law cites this historical tobacco statute, ensuring the reference is accurate within the current legal framework. This is a procedural correction to the law's wording, not a change to tobacco regulations or age restrictions themselves. The bill directly affects the legal text of the Age of Majority Act, aligning it with existing tobacco-related statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates funding to Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the fiscal year 2026-2027. It establishes the budget amount the state will provide to the department and authorizes the department to spend those funds on its designated programs and operations. The legislation creates an appropriation act that sets financial limits and spending rules for the department during the specified fiscal period.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 107 officially designates April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week within the state legislature. This commemorative resolution highlights the critical disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women and supports awareness efforts led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The measure does not alter laws or funding but serves to recognize the theme 'Rooted in Justice & Joy' and draw attention to the urgent need for improved maternal healthcare.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 297 aims to protect registered professional nurses by ensuring their refusal to work beyond their predetermined schedule is not grounds for administrative action. It also establishes penalties for hospitals that violate rules related to mandatory overtime for nurses, as referenced in section 21526. Hospitals found in violation could face an administrative fine of $1,000 for each instance, along with other potential sanctions. This bill amends the Public Health Code to implement these provisions, directly affecting nurses and hospitals.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 296 prohibits hospitals from requiring registered professional nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled, on-call, or voluntarily agreed-upon hours. It mandates that nurses working 12 or more consecutive hours receive 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately afterward. Exceptions to this prohibition include declared states of emergency, mass casualty incidents, certain patient-care procedures, and situations where an oncoming nurse is unexpectedly absent. The bill also protects nurses from retaliation if they refuse work assignments that exceed these limits and requires hospitals to post notices informing nurses of these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonprofit health care corporations in Michigan to review mental health provider applications within 60 calendar days and either approve or deny them in writing. It mandates that corporations send written requests for missing information within 10 business days if an application is incomplete, and allows a 15-day extension only for serious issues like sanctions or felony convictions. The legislation also ensures that providers can receive payment for services rendered during the credentialing review period if they meet specific criteria, including having no license sanctions and professional liability insurance. Additionally, the bill defines which mental health professionals are covered, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, and therapists.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to review and decide on new mental health provider applications within 60 calendar days of receiving a complete application, or within 45 days if an extension is granted for complex cases like license sanctions. If an insurer fails to approve or deny an application within the required timeframe, the provider must still be reimbursed for covered services submitted after the deadline, using either the insurer's standard in-network rate or the median rate paid to similar providers. The law also mandates that insurers send written requests for missing information within 10 business days and add approved providers to their payment systems and directories promptly. These rules apply to all licensed mental health professionals, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, and therapists, and cover both initial applications and recredentialing.