Sen. Stephanie Chang

Maddy summarySB 725 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to cover donor human milk for infants under specific conditions. It affects parents who rely on medical assistance and have infants who either: (1) cannot receive their parent's milk due to inability to produce it (temporarily or permanently), or (2) were born prematurely (before 34 weeks) or with low birth weight (under 1,800 grams). A doctor's prescription is required, and coverage lasts up to two years after birth or hospital discharge. This policy change expands access to donor human milk as a medical necessity for vulnerable infants under the state's healthcare program.

Maddy summarySB 724 regulates human milk banks, hospitals, and for-profit milk companies to ensure safety in breast milk distribution. It requires all entities to follow national health standards (like those from FDA and HMBANA), screen donors for health risks (except for personal use), and prohibits providing raw or "adulterated" milk (improperly processed or contaminated). Violations can result in civil fines up to $5,000 for minor issues or felony charges with fines up to $15,000 and imprisonment for severe harm or death. The law specifically distinguishes non-profit milk banks (which cannot profit) from for-profit companies that may pay donors but must still meet strict safety rules.

Maddy summarySB 726 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes involving the provision of adulterated or raw human milk for human consumption. It directly affects individuals or businesses distributing human milk (e.g., milk banks, sellers) who violate safety standards. The bill modifies existing sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.12m) to establish clearer penalties for these specific offenses, ensuring consistent judicial handling of such cases under criminal procedure law. The change focuses on defining the legal consequences for unsafe human milk distribution without altering broader public health regulations.

Maddy summarySB 451 prohibits consumer reporting agencies in Michigan from including medical debt in credit reports, protecting residents from negative credit impacts due to unpaid medical bills. The law requires collection agencies to disclose this restriction in writing to consumers and forbids them from claiming medical debt will appear on credit reports unless the debt relates to a mortgage exceeding the federal conforming loan limit ($766,550 for 2024). It directly affects consumers who receive medical care but have unpaid bills, as their credit scores will no longer be harmed by such debt. The law also provides legal remedies, including damages and attorney fees, for violations.

Maddy summarySB 450 amends Michigan law to require public hospital boards to follow the Hospital Financial Assistance Act when setting patient payment policies for non-charity care. It directly affects county public hospitals by making their financial assistance policies subject to existing state standards under the Hospital Financial Assistance Act. The bill updates Section 17 of the 1913 Public Act 350 to clarify that hospital trustees' authority over patient fees is governed by this act, ensuring consistent financial assistance rules across public hospitals.

Maddy summarySB 449 requires Michigan hospitals to create and implement financial assistance programs for uninsured patients and those with high medical debt relative to income. Specifically, hospitals must offer up to 100% discounts for patients earning at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines, base eligibility on objective income metrics, and publish program details clearly on bills, statements, and websites in plain language. Hospitals must also report annual data on program usage and debt relief to the state health department by 2027, with violations subject to $10,000 civil fines. The law directly affects uninsured patients and hospital financial operations, aiming to reduce barriers to care for low-income individuals.

Maddy summarySB 707 amends Michigan's licensing rules for marriage and family therapists. It updates educational requirements (e.g., specific coursework in family studies and therapy methodology), increases supervised clinical experience standards (300 direct client hours with 1:5 supervision ratio), and adds a "limited license" pathway for trainees. The bill restricts titles like "marriage counselor" or "family therapist" to only licensed professionals, preventing unlicensed individuals from using these terms. It directly affects therapists seeking or renewing licenses, training programs, and the public who rely on qualified providers for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in Michigan to notify the Secretary of State within 20 days of making specific changes to election rules, such as altering how winners are determined or switching between district-based and at-large voting systems. It also mandates that localities inform the state at least 20 days before removing voters from registration lists and within five business days of requests to inspect voting equipment or ballot data. To ensure transparency, the Secretary of State must post these notifications on the state website in an accessible format and publicly list any local government that fails to comply with these reporting deadlines. These provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2028, after a consultation period with county clerks, municipal clerks, and voting rights advocates.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 961 creates a new State Voting Rights Act in Michigan to protect the voting rights of racial, color, and language minority groups. The bill prohibits local governments and officials from implementing election rules or practices that create disparities in voter participation or impair the ability of minority groups to elect candidates of their choice. Key provisions include establishing definitions for voting methods and protected classes, requiring a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances, and creating a fund to support enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Michigan Voting and Elections Database and Institute, a new entity designed to collect, archive, and make election data publicly available at no cost. The institute will be created through an agreement between the Secretary of State and public research universities, with the university selecting the director and assuming responsibility for most operating costs. Key provisions include the centralization of precinct-level election results, voter registration lists, polling place locations, and demographic estimates, which must be maintained for at least 12 years before permanent archival. The institute will also offer research opportunities, training classes, and technical assistance to local governments and the public while implementing rigorous cybersecurity standards for the data it holds.