Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summarySB 546 amends Michigan's Insurance Code to strengthen penalties for insurers delaying claim payments. It requires insurers to pay 12% annual interest on unpaid claims after 60 days, with tiered rates (1.5% for 30 days late, 2% for 31-90 days, 4% after 90 days) for claims not paid on time. The bill also mandates health plans pay "clean claims" (complete documentation) within 30 days, with interest if delayed, and clarifies timelines for proof of loss. This directly affects insurers, policyholders, third-party claimants, and health providers like hospitals or clinics processing medical claims.

Maddy summarySB 544 amends Michigan's Insurance Code (MCL 500.2026) to prohibit insurers from changing coverage terms or denying claims after a claim is filed. Specifically, it bans "re-underwriting" a policy or altering coverage based on a claim that has been submitted, which directly protects policyholders from unfair treatment after filing a claim. The key provision (added as subsection (o)) prevents insurers from using claim history to deny coverage or increase premiums retroactively. This policy change ensures insurers must complete underwriting before issuing a policy, not after a claim arises. The bill aims to prevent insurers from unfairly penalizing customers who file legitimate claims.

Maddy summarySB 354 amends Michigan's 1971 Home Solicitation Sales Act by removing telephone solicitation regulations that were previously part of the law. It repeals sections MCL 445.111a through 445.111e (which governed telephone solicitations) and updates the title and key sections (MCL 445.111 and 445.113) to reflect this change. This bill directly affects businesses that make phone solicitations by eliminating specific regulatory requirements they previously had to follow. The key mechanism is the repeal of the telephone solicitation provisions, streamlining the law to focus only on home solicitation rules. The bill does not create new requirements but removes existing telephone solicitation rules from the statute.

Maddy summarySB 355 repeals a 1913 Michigan law (MCL 484.125) that regulated telephone companies as public utilities and set rules for their operations. The bill removes outdated requirements about telephone company consolidation, equipment use, and Public Service Commission oversight. This directly affects telephone companies and state regulators by eliminating historical regulatory provisions. The repeal is conditional on another bill (SB 351) being enacted, but does not create new rules or impact current services.

Maddy summarySB 353 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to strengthen rules against deceptive telephone solicitations. It specifically requires businesses to clearly disclose environmental marketing claims (like "recycled" or "biodegradable") and to provide full written terms for prizes offered in exchange for attending sales presentations. The bill directly affects businesses making phone calls to consumers, mandating transparency to prevent misleading claims about product origins, environmental benefits, or prize conditions. These changes update existing law to address modern deceptive practices in phone-based sales.

Maddy summarySB 352 removes a $150 filing fee requirement for cases where the Attorney General enforces the Telephone Solicitation Act (specifically actions under section 33 of that law). This change directly affects the Attorney General’s office when pursuing violations of Michigan’s telephone solicitation rules. The bill amends Michigan’s court fee statute (MCL 600.2529) to exclude these enforcement actions from standard civil filing fees. As a result, the Attorney General would no longer need to pay this $150 fee when initiating such cases in court.

Maddy summarySB 351 would create a new law governing telephone marketing calls and solicitations. It has been introduced by Senator Mary Cavanagh and referred to the Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee. The bill's specific provisions (such as required disclosures, opt-out mechanisms, or enforcement details) are not described in the provided context. As a procedural bill establishing a new regulatory framework, it directly affects businesses making phone solicitations and consumers receiving such calls. Details about its concrete policy changes remain unavailable based on the current information.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 92) urges the U.S. Congress to restore oversight mechanisms for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It directly addresses federal immigration enforcement agencies and aims to improve accountability following recent incidents involving ICE officers and reduced oversight capacity. The resolution specifically calls for reinstating agencies like the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which were weakened under the Trump Administration, leading to unaddressed complaints about officer conduct. It emphasizes that restoring these oversight tools is necessary to ensure immigration enforcement follows laws, respects civil rights, and maintains community trust. As a resolution, it does not create new law but expresses the Michigan Senate's position to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes January 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month in Michigan. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the contributions of Muslim Americans to Michigan's cultural, economic, and social life. The resolution highlights their historical and ongoing roles in fields like STEM, business, and community leadership, particularly within Michigan's diverse communities in cities like Dearborn, Hamtramck, and Detroit. It encourages all citizens to learn about and celebrate this heritage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Michigan. It formally recognizes the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, advocacy groups, and service providers working to combat human trafficking and support survivors, while emphasizing the importance of public awareness in identifying and preventing trafficking. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to advance prevention awareness.