Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced by Senator Santana to formally recognize February 2025 as Black History Month in Michigan. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups; instead, it affirms the legislature's support for the annual observance of Black History Month. The resolution cites historical context, honors African-American contributions, and encourages public awareness of both achievements and ongoing efforts toward racial equality. It was introduced and adopted by the Senate on February 12-13, 2025, with no further legislative action required.

Maddy summarySB 74 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to clarify how workplace injuries and disabilities are defined and compensated. It specifically modifies rules for mental health conditions (requiring a link to actual work events, not perceptions), refines the definition of "disability" as a limitation in wage-earning capacity, and requires employees to demonstrate good-faith job searches when claiming partial disability. The bill shifts the burden of proof to employers after an employee establishes initial disability, requiring employers to provide evidence to refute claims. These changes directly affect Michigan workers injured on the job and their employers in determining compensation eligibility and benefit amounts.

Maddy summarySB 75 amends Michigan's worker's compensation law to modify death benefit payments for dependents of workers who die from work-related injuries. The current law provides weekly payments equal to 80% of the deceased worker's after-tax average weekly wage for up to 500 weeks, with additional rules for dependents under age 21 or for partially dependent family members. The bill specifically targets sections 321, 331, 335, 345, and 356 of the 1969 Worker's Disability Compensation Act (MCL 418.321 et seq.). The exact changes proposed by the bill are not detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (SR 8) designates February 3-7, 2025, as School Counseling Week in Michigan. It recognizes the vital role school counselors play in supporting students' academic, social-emotional, and career development, while raising awareness about the critical need to improve student-to-counselor ratios (currently 598:1 in Michigan, far exceeding the recommended 250:1). The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of counselors' contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 3) authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to take legal action against the House of Representatives to compel it to present nine specific bills to the Governor. The bills - passed by both chambers during the 2023-2024 legislative session - were returned to the House on December 20, 2024, but the House has refused to present them to the Governor despite a constitutional requirement under Michigan’s Article IV, Section 33. The Senate seeks to enforce this duty through court action, targeting House Bills 4177 and 4665-4667 (2023) and 4900-4901, 5817-5818, and 6058 (2024). The resolution focuses solely on procedural compliance, not policy content.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on a person's source of income. It directly affects landlords, real estate brokers, and anyone involved in property transactions by banning them from refusing to rent or sell homes to individuals using government assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security, or other legal income sources. The law clarifies that these protections apply to all forms of discrimination, including refusing to negotiate, making false claims about property availability, or publishing advertisements that exclude people based on how they pay rent. By adding "source of income" to the list of protected categories, the legislation ensures that housing opportunities cannot be denied solely because a tenant relies on subsidies or retirement funds.

Maddy summarySB 981 amends the Michigan Employment Security Act to update the rules and definitions governing the state's unemployment insurance agency. The bill clarifies the agency's duties to reduce unemployment and assist in reemployment while establishing specific procedures for creating public work reserves during economic downturns. It also outlines how the agency must create and publish rules, requiring public hearings with at least 20 days' notice before any regulations take effect. Additionally, the legislation details the appointment and compensation of the agency's director and staff, including provisions for hiring law students to help employers and claimants understand the law. By repealing and revising several existing sections, the bill aims to modernize the administrative framework for managing unemployment benefits and related services in Michigan.

Maddy summarySB 206 amends Michigan's landlord-tenant law to explicitly include various forms of financial assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers and emergency rental aid, as a protected "source of income" under the state's fair housing laws. This change prohibits landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants based on the specific programs or benefits they use to pay rent, provided the income is not derived illegally. The bill defines "source of income" broadly to cover federal, state, and local subsidy programs, ensuring that individuals relying on these funds have the same housing opportunities as those with other income sources. By clarifying these definitions within the existing legal framework, the legislation aims to prevent unfair treatment of tenants who depend on government or nonprofit assistance to secure housing.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits landlords in Michigan from discriminating against tenants or prospective tenants based on their source of income, such as housing vouchers or subsidies. It forbids landlords from denying housing, setting different terms, or advertising preferences related to how a tenant pays rent. Additionally, the bill requires that any income threshold for renting must be calculated after subtracting the value of rent vouchers or subsidies. People who suffer financial loss due to a violation can sue for actual damages or up to 4.5 times the monthly rent, plus legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's unemployment insurance system by increasing the maximum weekly benefit amount and adjusting how payments are calculated for dependents starting in 2025. It directly affects unemployed individuals who file for benefits, raising the weekly payment cap to $446 in 2025, $530 in 2026, and $614 in 2027. The legislation also changes the calculation method for dependents, increasing the additional weekly allowance per dependent from $6 to $12.66 in 2025, with further increases planned for subsequent years. These changes are designed to provide higher financial support to eligible claimers while maintaining specific rules for verifying dependent status and preventing fraud.