Sen. Stephanie Chang

Maddy summarySenate Bill 959 requires railroads operating in Michigan to install and maintain wayside detector systems that scan trains for defects like hot wheel bearings and dragging equipment. The bill sets specific rules for how often these systems must be placed along tracks, depending on the size of the railroad, and mandates that alerts be sent immediately to train operators so they can stop or repair issues safely. It also gives the state Office of Rail the authority to investigate railroads that refuse to cooperate and requires a report on derailments caused by bearing or axle failures by the end of 2028.

Maddy summarySB 433 requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to create and distribute multilingual (English, Spanish, Arabic) informational notices about the health risks of high-potency THC cannabis products and vaping to parents of K-12 students. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, public and nonpublic schools must provide these notices to parents annually by October 1 and post a link to the department's website on their own sites. The notices must be updated yearly to reflect new health research, and the bill grants immunity from civil liability to schools and state agencies for distributing them. This bill directly affects all Michigan schools and parents of enrolled students, focusing on preventive health education.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Security for Employees Act, restricts how employers in Michigan can use automated decision-making tools and electronic monitoring systems for their workforce. It generally prohibits using these technologies for employment decisions like hiring or firing, except when screening large volumes of applications based on specific job criteria. Employers are only allowed to monitor employees for specific purposes such as ensuring job function completion, monitoring production quality, or protecting health and safety, and they must obtain written consent from every employee before using such tools. The legislation also mandates that employers provide clear notice of monitoring, maintain accurate data, allow employees to correct their records, and conduct impact assessments to ensure these tools do not negatively affect individuals based on protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act to update acreage limits and add new requirements for designating economic development zones in specific areas. It raises the maximum allowable zone size from 15% to 20% of a local government's total land for new or rehabilitated facilities and from 10% to 20% for homestead facilities. Additionally, the legislation introduces stricter criteria for zones in cities and townships created after 2022, requiring them to be adjacent to existing development with adequate infrastructure and containing at least five residential units per acre. The bill also mandates that residents earning more than 120% of the county median income pay full property taxes on their portion of a facility within these zones, while maintaining existing rules for public hearings and housing inspections.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 278 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966 to modify the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund. It expands the fund's focus to include middle-income households and projects located in downtown areas or adjacent neighborhoods, in addition to existing support for low-income households. The bill revises how the fund's money is allocated, adding considerations for accessible housing and the availability of other funding sources for specific groups, while removing some previous earmarks for rental and homeownership projects. It also enhances public engagement requirements for the fund's biennial allocation plan, mandating virtual participation options and targeted outreach.

Maddy summarySB 480 amends Michigan's Child Care Organizations Act to clarify definitions related to staff roles and facility types. The key change lowers the minimum age for certain child care staff members from 18 to 16 years old, specifically for individuals providing unsupervised care or having unsupervised access to children in licensed settings. It also updates definitions for "child care center" (excluding brief religious programs or sports activities) and "child caring institution" (clarifying it excludes hospitals and adult facilities). These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and their staff members by defining eligibility and responsibilities more precisely. The bill makes no new funding or program requirements - it only refines existing regulatory language.

Maddy summarySB 517 amends Michigan's school code to clarify how school districts can use bond funds. It allows districts to borrow for physical infrastructure (like buildings, playgrounds, and initial technology hardware/software purchases) but explicitly prohibits using bond proceeds for ongoing technology costs - such as software upgrades, maintenance, training, or repairs. The bill directly affects school districts by restricting their borrowing options for technology-related expenses. It also requires independent audits of bond spending and permits residents to sue if districts violate these rules.

Maddy summarySB 591 clarifies that health club owners, operators, and employees are not legally required to provide emergency medical assistance using an on-site AED during a medical emergency. It specifically removes any duty to render such service, while confirming that existing Good Samaritan protections (under 1963 PA 17) still apply to those who choose to help. The bill directly affects health club staff by limiting their legal obligation during medical incidents. This is a procedural revision to update the cross-reference in Michigan's health club regulations (MCL 333.26313), with no new requirements or penalties added.

Maddy summarySB 590 protects bystanders who voluntarily apply bleeding control (like pressure, dressings, or tourniquets) during emergencies. It shields these individuals from civil lawsuits for injuries resulting from their actions, as long as they acted in good faith and without duty to help. The law specifically excludes liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct. This directly affects ordinary citizens responding to medical emergencies, such as car accidents or violent incidents, by encouraging life-saving first aid without fear of legal repercussions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of June 23-29, 2026, as Grassroots Week in Michigan to honor precinct delegates and grassroots leaders. The measure aims to acknowledge the efforts of everyday residents who organize political movements and serve as a vital link between their communities and elected officials. By formally recognizing these individuals, the bill encourages state residents to express gratitude for their contributions to the democratic process.