Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to screen children entering foster care for eligibility for state and federal benefits within 90 days and to apply for those benefits if it serves the child's best interests. Starting in October 2026, the state generally cannot use a child's earned income or benefits to pay for their foster care, though exceptions exist for special needs services or conserving funds for future needs. The department must act as a responsible manager of these funds, providing regular accounting to the child and their guardian ad litem, and offering financial literacy training to older youth. Additionally, the law mandates that any assets or income the child owns be transferred to them when they leave the system or turn 18.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It updates the legal definitions of key terms, such as "new evidence," to explicitly include DNA results and expert testimony while limiting the standalone weight of witness recantations unless supported by other proof. The legislation also adjusts procedural requirements, mandating that plaintiffs provide specific documentation proving their innocence and ensuring that victims of the original crimes receive notice if the case involved assaultive offenses. Additionally, the bill refines the standards for proving innocence, requiring clear and convincing evidence that the plaintiff did not commit the crime, even when the original conviction was overturned for reasons unrelated to new evidence.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan public schools to add one unit of instruction each on the histories of African Americans, Indigenous Peoples, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other specific ethnic groups starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The mandated lessons must cover contributions to society, local history including discriminatory policies, and civil rights advancements, with the state superintendent providing guidelines developed with community input. School districts must monitor compliance, but instructors have flexibility to integrate these lessons into existing curricula, and the instruction can be delivered online if needed.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Cultural History Advisory Board within the Michigan Department of Education to help develop curriculum and professional development focused on diverse cultural histories. The board will consist of representatives from various communities, including Asian-American, Latino, African-American, Indigenous, and Jewish groups, as well as educators, higher education institutions, and labor organizations. Appointed by the state superintendent of public instruction, the board is tasked with producing a curriculum toolkit and gathering public input to support teaching history related to these specific cultural groups. Members will serve two-year terms and meet at least quarterly to guide the creation of educational materials for K-12 students.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to create and distribute resources for professional learning on cultural competency by June 1, 2027. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, all school staff who interact with students must complete training using these resources, which covers topics such as diversity, cultural identity, implicit bias, and the historical contributions of various communities in the state. The legislation also allows the department to provide instructional materials on the history of Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous, Latine, Hispanic, Jewish American, Arab American, North African, and Chaldean American people. These requirements apply to all public school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies in Michigan.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a waiver allowing individuals recently released from prison to obtain automobile insurance without penalty for a lapse in coverage during their incarceration. It requires applicants to provide a certified statement confirming they were in a correctional facility and released within the last six months to qualify for this exception. By adding this provision to existing underwriting rules, the legislation prevents insurers from refusing coverage, limiting options, or charging higher premiums solely based on the failure to maintain insurance while the person was imprisoned.
Maddy summarySB 1089 prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from conducting post-claim underwriting, which means insurers cannot investigate a policyholder's risk or deny a claim based on information discovered after the policy was issued. This change directly affects consumers by preventing insurers from using facts learned during a claims investigation to retroactively justify denying coverage. The bill amends existing unfair practices laws to explicitly ban this specific behavior, ensuring that underwriting decisions are made only before a policy is issued or renewed. Additionally, the legislation requires insurers to maintain detailed records of customer complaints and mandates that agents forward written complaints to their companies promptly.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to follow appeals decisions made by the state regarding insurance coverage disputes. It mandates that these providers submit necessary records to insurers and must comply with any rulings issued by the department of insurance after an appeal process. Additionally, the bill gives insurers the authority to request written explanations for treatments that exceed standard medical norms and establishes specific rules for reviewing the quality and necessity of care. If an insurer determines that care was inappropriate or overutilized, the provider can appeal that decision to the state department, which must then issue a binding decision.
Maddy summarySB 1087 increases the maximum civil fines that state officials can impose on insurance companies and other entities for violating Michigan's insurance code. The bill raises penalties for insurers from $50,000 to $100,000 per violation and for non-insurers from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, while also adjusting the total caps on fines for repeat or intentional offenses. These changes apply to violations such as failing to file required documents correctly or engaging in unfair or deceptive business practices. The legislation ensures that any fines collected are turned over to the state treasurer and credited to the general fund.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the financial penalties for insurance companies that fail to pay valid claims on time. It directly affects insurance providers, policyholders, and third-party claimants by requiring them to pay 12% annual interest on benefits delayed beyond specific deadlines. The legislation establishes new rules for when interest begins to accrue, such as starting 60 days after an insurer receives proof of loss, and sets tiered interest rates based on how late a payment is. Additionally, it outlines specific timelines for health plans to process and pay claims to medical providers, including requirements to notify providers of claim defects within 30 days.