Sen. Dayna Polehanki

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates June 2026 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Pride Month in Michigan. The measure serves as a symbolic recognition of the LGBTQ+ community's history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality rather than enacting new laws or policies. By adopting this resolution, the state legislature acknowledges the cultural and civic value of the community and aligns with national traditions of celebrating Pride Month.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 127 formally designates June 2026 as Gun Violence Awareness Month to honor victims and survivors of gun violence. The resolution highlights the pervasive impact of gun violence in the United States and references specific tragedies, including the deaths of Hadiya Pendleton and others. It encourages citizens to support community efforts to prevent gun violence and to participate in awareness activities, such as wearing orange. This legislative action serves as a commemorative measure rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 785 amends Michigan's school aid law to allocate $200 million from the state school aid fund and $1.6 million from the general fund for the 2025-2026 school year to support free breakfast and lunch programs. It requires participating public and nonpublic schools (serving pre-K through 12th grade) to provide meals at no cost to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and implement policies to determine student eligibility. The bill covers the gap between federal meal reimbursement rates and actual costs, including additional funding for the Great Start Readiness Program. Schools must also offer dietary accommodations (like gluten-free meals) and prioritize Michigan-sourced food where practical.

Maddy summarySB 784 creates a statewide program providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students in grades pre-K through 12, plus students up to age 26 enrolled in special education programs (including the Michigan School for the Deaf). Participating schools must join the federal National School Lunch Program, offer meals at no cost to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision, and forgive any outstanding meal debt. The bill also requires schools to accommodate documented dietary needs due to disabilities and encourages policies to help families complete income forms for eligibility. This policy changes existing meal programs by making them universal for eligible students without requiring individual income verification.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan to align its policies with federal requirements for certified community behavioral health clinics, ensuring the state does not create rules that conflict with federal standards. It mandates the development of a process to determine new clinic locations in specific regions to prevent overlapping service areas. Additionally, the bill requires continued cooperation with the federal government on these clinics, allowing the legislature to vote on opting out, which would give state officials 12 months to stop operations if chosen. The legislation will not take effect unless it is tied to the passage of a companion bill, SB 1000.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's social welfare act to establish a new prospective payment system that funds certified community behavioral health clinics based on anticipated costs rather than individual services. It requires the state department to develop payment rates using actuarial methods and mandates that any new clinic sites approved starting in 2028 undergo a review process to prevent service duplication and ensure geographic distribution. The legislation defines eligible clinics as nonprofit or government-run entities and prioritizes approval for sites operated by community mental health services programs. Additionally, the bill outlines specific policies to mitigate conflicts of interest, define retaliatory actions, and create a dispute resolution process, while noting that implementation depends on future legislative funding.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1002 allows school districts in Michigan to issue high school diplomas to women who left school between 1940 and 1946 to work or support the war effort during World War II. To receive a diploma, these individuals must apply through the Michigan veterans affairs agency, and the application can be submitted by family members or designated representatives. The bill amends existing legislation that currently provides diplomas to male veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan courts to prioritize less restrictive alternatives before appointing a guardian for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that judges first explore options such as using a power of attorney, a trust, a representative payee, supported decision-making, or partial guardianship to meet the individual's needs. If a full guardianship is deemed necessary, the law specifies that it must be limited strictly to what is required for protection and that personal liberty and financial freedom should not be restricted more than needed. The changes aim to encourage maximum self-reliance and independence while ensuring protection from neglect, exploitation, and abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to require courts to inform families about alternatives to full guardianship before a petition is filed. These alternatives include limited guardianship, conservatorships, and supported decision-making, which is defined as a process where friends, family, and professionals help individuals understand their options so they can make their own choices. Additionally, the legislation mandates that a guardian ad litem must be appointed to represent the individual during incapacity hearings unless they already have their own legal counsel. The changes directly affect individuals facing incapacity proceedings and the family members or interested parties who petition for guardianship.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 991 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to prohibit businesses from using certain algorithms and protected class data to set prices. This law directly affects companies that sell goods or services by banning the practice of adjusting prices based on factors like race, age, or other personal characteristics. The bill adds a new section to the statute to explicitly make this pricing behavior unlawful, ensuring that consumers are not charged different amounts for the same items based on their personal data.