Sen. Stephanie Chang

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 21, 2024, as Maltese American Heritage Day to honor the contributions of Maltese Americans in Michigan. The measure commemorates the 60th anniversary of Malta's independence and acknowledges the state's large population of Maltese immigrants and their descendants, particularly in the Metro Detroit area. By adopting this resolution, the legislature formally recognizes the cultural and economic impact of this community without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the importance of supporting children affected by cancer. The measure, introduced by Senator Erika Geiss, serves to recognize the resilience of patients and their families while acknowledging the progress made in treatment and research over recent decades. By officially setting aside the month for awareness, the bill aims to encourage increased support and attention to the cause without imposing new laws or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in Michigan to install at least one working carbon monoxide detector in every rental unit they manage. The law defines these devices as units that alert occupants with a distinct sound and are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Landlords who fail to comply with this requirement face misdemeanor charges, which could result in a fine of up to $500, jail time of up to 90 days, or both. This measure directly impacts the safety standards for residential rentals and the legal responsibilities of property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sex offender registration act to clarify who must register and under what circumstances. It expands the definition of a "conviction" to include specific tribal and military court judgments, as well as certain juvenile dispositions for serious offenses committed by individuals aged 14 or older. The legislation also updates the definition of "custodial authority" to explicitly include various school employees, correctional facility staff, and other individuals in positions of power who exploit their status to engage in sexual contact with victims. These changes ensure that a broader range of offenders, including those with specific types of past adjudications or those who abused authority, are subject to the state's registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific rules for crimes involving sexual conduct with or involving a corpse. It directly affects judges who must determine appropriate prison sentences for these offenses by providing a structured framework for sentencing decisions. The key provision creates new statutory language within the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure consistency in how these particular crimes are punished.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new licensing and registration fees for individuals operating refrigeration facilities or removal services for human bodies in Michigan. It sets specific costs for application processing, biennial licenses or registrations, and initial inspections, with an additional fee for vehicle inspections for removal services. The law requires these fees to be paid by anyone seeking licensure or registration under the state's occupational code. The bill also includes a provision stating that it will not take effect unless a related bill, SB 544, 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 creates new criminal penalties for engaging in sexual acts with a dead human body in Michigan. It establishes that sexual contact, defined as intentional touching of specific body areas for sexual purposes like revenge or humiliation, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison or a $500 fine. More severe sexual penetration, such as entry into genital or anal openings, is classified as a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The law also allows prison terms for these offenses to run consecutively to other sentences related to the same incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new licensing and registration system for businesses in Michigan that independently store or transport deceased human bodies. It requires separate two-year licenses for refrigeration facilities and certificates of registration for removal services, with applicants needing to disclose criminal history and demonstrate good moral character. The law mandates that these facilities and vehicles pass state inspections and must be managed by individuals holding a mortuary science license. Additionally, the bill restricts contracts for these services to specific authorized entities such as funeral homes, hospitals, and medical schools.

Maddy summaryThis law allows credit union members to designate their accounts as inactive if they are not using them but wish to keep their membership status. Under this rule, the credit union cannot charge fees on these inactive accounts, and the member can remove the inactive status at any time. If an account remains inactive for three years, the credit union must turn the funds over to the state treasury and end the membership. The change applies to domestic credit unions and requires all members of a shared account to agree before designating it as inactive.