Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating new sentencing guidelines for individuals who intentionally call 911 or summon law enforcement to their home while falsely reporting a serious emergency. The legislation would establish specific rules for judges to follow when determining punishments for this type of false reporting, aiming to standardize how such cases are handled across the state. By amending the existing Code of Criminal Procedure, the bill seeks to clarify the legal consequences for making these intentional false reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase penalties for stealing or holding a dog without the owner's consent. Under the new provision, anyone convicted of this offense would face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine between $500 and $1,500, or both. The legislation also removes an existing repeal of a previous law regarding dog theft penalties. These changes directly affect individuals accused of taking dogs and the courts that adjudicate such cases.

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 updates Michigan laws regarding the disposal of firearms seized by law enforcement agencies. It allows agencies to either auction or destroy these weapons through the state police department, or alternatively, sell them to licensed dealers or keep them for official use by peace officers. Before any disposal occurs, the law requires agencies to check if the gun was reported lost or stolen and to provide a 30-day public notice for owners to claim the firearm if they are legally eligible to possess it. The legislation also mandates that agencies keep detailed records of all sales for at least seven years and grants them immunity from civil lawsuits when following these procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan laws regarding the disposal of firearms seized by law enforcement agencies. It allows these agencies to either auction the weapons to licensed dealers for law enforcement use, keep them for official use by peace officers, or forward them to the state police for disposal. Before any firearm is discarded, the agency must check if it was reported lost or stolen and provide a 30-day notice to potential owners and the public, allowing authorized individuals to claim the weapon. The legislation also grants immunity from civil lawsuits to agencies that follow these disposal procedures and requires them to keep detailed records of any sales for at least seven years.

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 updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws to allow judges and magistrates to issue and sign search warrants using electronic methods, such as fax or computer networks. It permits affidavits and warrants to be transmitted digitally, provided that the judge or magistrate orally administers the oath and the document is signed electronically or via a scanned signature. The law also clarifies that these digital documents are considered official originals and do not require a physical seal. Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for when search warrant affidavits become public records, allowing for temporary secrecy if an investigation is ongoing or if victim and witness safety is at risk. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial officers who handle search warrant requests and executions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's search warrant laws to allow judges and magistrates to issue warrants using electronic methods, such as computer networks or fax, rather than requiring in-person interactions. It permits affidavits and warrants to be transmitted digitally and enables judges to sign these documents from any location within the state. The legislation also clarifies that digital copies of these documents serve as official originals and establishes a timeline for when search warrant affidavits become public records, with exceptions for ongoing investigations. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and judges by modernizing the procedures for obtaining and executing search warrants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale and application of coal tar sealants and other high-polluting pavement sealants within Michigan to reduce environmental contamination. It defines these restricted products by their chemical composition and sets up a system where sellers must keep records of any exemptions for up to three years. The law allows the state director to grant written exceptions for specific research or technology development purposes and establishes a $5,000 fine for violations.