Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summarySB 799 creates a new licensing system for adult psychiatric residential treatment facilities (APRTFs) that provide 24-hour residential psychiatric care to adults 18+ with severe mental health needs. It requires facilities to obtain a license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, pay fees ($2,000 initial, $1,000 renewal), and undergo on-site inspections before operating. The bill sets standards for care, defines prohibited exclusions (like psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes), and specifies that licensed facilities must offer individualized treatment plans certified by a physician. This directly affects APRTFs currently operating without state licensing, requiring them to meet new regulatory requirements to continue providing services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Workplace Employee Boundaries Act, prohibits employers from requiring employees to check work emails, texts, or calls outside of their regular working hours. It allows workers to set specific times when they are available for work-related messages and protects them from retaliation, such as firing or threatening them, if they do not respond during off-hours. The law also bans employers from forcing employees to give up these protections as a condition of getting a job and provides for fines and extra pay for violations. Exceptions exist for emergencies, urgent notices to all staff, and situations where employees are already paid to be on call.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution officially designates May 1, 2026, as International Workers' Day within the state. The measure honors the contributions of Michigan's workforce and commemorates the historical significance of the labor movement, including events like the Haymarket Affair and the Flint Sit-Down Strike. By adopting this resolution, the legislative body acknowledges the importance of workers' rights and the state's legacy in advancing economic and social justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funding to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. It establishes the budget amount the department can spend on its programs and operations during that period. The legislation authorizes the department to use these funds for its designated responsibilities and requires proper accounting of the expenditures. This measure directly impacts the department's ability to deliver services to Michigan residents and manage its workforce-related programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to repeal the Local Financial Stability and Choice Act of 2012, a law that previously set financial rules for local governments in Michigan. By removing the specific sections of the Michigan Compiled Laws associated with that act, the legislation would eliminate those existing financial regulations. Consequently, local municipalities and other local entities would no longer be subject to the oversight and requirements established under the repealed statute. The bill was introduced by Senator Mary Cavanagh and is currently under consideration by the Committee on Local Government.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in Michigan to cover infertility treatments starting in 2027, affecting all individuals with health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state. The legislation mandates comprehensive coverage for diagnostic care, fertility treatments, and preservation services, including at least four complete egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers and costs associated with transferring embryos to a third party. Insurers must provide these benefits without discrimination based on various personal characteristics and cannot impose higher deductibles, waiting periods, or preexisting condition exclusions specifically for infertility services. The law defines infertility broadly to include conditions impacting pregnancy ability and situations where individuals lack the necessary gametes, while also clarifying that coverage applies regardless of whether donor gametes are used or if a surrogate is involved.

Maddy summarySB 916 updates Michigan's renewable energy requirements for electric providers by establishing a tiered portfolio standard that increases from 15% by 2029 to 60% by 2035. The bill allows providers to meet these targets through generating renewable energy, purchasing power, or acquiring renewable energy credits, with specific limits on the use of out-of-state credits. It also introduces financial incentives for providers entering into non-affiliate contracts for renewable energy or clean energy storage systems after June 30, 2024, and permits energy waste reduction credits to substitute for up to 10% of renewable energy requirements under certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated state fund to support Michigan's 988 crisis lifeline system, which provides suicide prevention and mental health crisis services. It establishes a new telecommunications fee of 25 cents per month on landline and mobile phone lines, as well as a 6% fee on prepaid phone purchases, to generate revenue for this fund. The collected fees must be used to improve the crisis hotline infrastructure, expand crisis services, and fund stabilization programs, while ensuring these funds supplement rather than replace existing state or federal grants. Additionally, the bill requires the state treasurer to adjust the monthly fee annually based on inflation and mandates regular audits to ensure phone companies collect and remit the fees correctly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan to use competitive bidding for contracts involving construction, operations, maintenance, or capital improvements. If a utility fails to follow this competitive process, the state commission cannot allow the company to recover the costs associated with that contract. The law also grants ratepayers and bidders the right to sue for damages or injunctive relief if the competitive bidding rules are not followed, with potential penalties of at least $1,000 plus legal fees. Additionally, all bids submitted to these utilities must be treated as public records and made available for inspection and copying.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 112 officially designates April 19-26, 2026, as Infertility Awareness Week to raise public understanding of infertility as a disease that affects people of all backgrounds. The resolution encourages state legislators and the community to participate in awareness efforts alongside the National Infertility Association. This measure does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the challenges faced by individuals and couples struggling with family building.