Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Family Leave Optimal Coverage Act to provide paid time off and financial benefits to Michigan workers for caring for family members during events like childbirth, adoption, domestic violence, or serious health issues. To qualify, employees must have earned at least $3,000 in wages during a specific base period or be self-employed, and the program requires both employer and employee contributions to a state fund. The legislation defines eligible family members broadly to include children, parents, spouses, and domestic partners, while also setting rules for calculating benefit amounts and preventing discrimination against those who take leave. Additionally, the act outlines procedures for filing claims, resolving disputes, and reporting data to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Michigan to adopt and publicly post a written policy outlining the rights and responsibilities of patients. The new policy must include specific protections such as non-discrimination, access to medical records, privacy during treatment, and the right to refuse care while being informed of the consequences. A critical provision ensures that hospitals must stabilize a pregnant patient in labor before terminating the patient-provider relationship due to a refusal of treatment. Additionally, the bill mandates that facilities provide clear information about billing, financial assistance, and the staff responsible for a patient's direct care.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's Essential Health Provider Repayment Program to include midwives alongside other healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and dentists. By adding midwives to the list of eligible "designated professionals," the legislation allows them to receive loan repayments or expense reimbursements if they agree to work full-time in designated health resource shortage areas. The key mechanism involves a contractual agreement where the state repays a portion of the professional's education debt or training costs in exchange for a service commitment that matches the repayment amount or lasts for at least two years. This change aims to incentivize midwives to practice in underserved communities to help address local healthcare needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's civil rights protections by explicitly adding pregnancy and lactating status to the definition of "sex" under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. It directly affects businesses, educational institutions, and public services by prohibiting discrimination against individuals based on these specific conditions. The law clarifies that places of public accommodation include various private clubs, such as country clubs and sports organizations, ensuring broader coverage against unfair treatment. By amending existing statutes, the measure aims to ensure that pregnant people and those who are lactating are treated with the same protections as other individuals in public spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to allow individuals to specify their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if they become pregnant while a patient advocate designation is in effect. It clarifies that a person's pregnancy status does not limit their right to designate a patient advocate or to include instructions on medical care, anatomical gifts, and decision-making standards. The legislation explicitly prohibits using a patient advocate designation to withhold or withdraw treatment from a pregnant patient in a way that results in the patient's death, while still permitting clear and convincing instructions on other end-of-life decisions. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for accepting the designation, including the need for the proposed advocate to sign an acceptance form and adhere to fiduciary standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Michigan's Public Health Code regarding the use of radiation machines for mammography. It aims to update regulations by amending existing sections that govern how these imaging devices must be used and by repealing two older sections that are no longer in effect. The legislation directly impacts healthcare facilities and providers who perform mammograms by modifying the legal framework they must follow. While the specific details of the amendments are not fully outlined in the provided text, the bill seeks to refine current standards for radiation safety and equipment usage in breast cancer screening.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover specific over-the-counter contraceptives and emergency contraception at in-network pharmacies starting in 2026. The law applies to any insurer offering contraceptive coverage and mandates that these products be accessible without a prescription. While the bill ensures coverage, it allows insurers to apply standard rules such as prior authorization or quantity limits. The definition of covered items includes FDA-approved hormonal drugs and emergency contraception used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive plan to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities across the state. It mandates the department to monitor minority health progress, fund related programs, and establish a dedicated webpage that shares data on morbidity, mortality, and studies regarding biased medical care. The legislation also directs the department to recruit more minority health professionals, provide technical assistance to local coalitions, and include statistics on obstetric racism and violence in state health records.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of a 92.98-acre state-owned property in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The legislation outlines the specific boundaries of the land and establishes that the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget will manage the transfer process while the receiving department covers associated survey and closing costs. Once approved by the State Administrative Board, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will assume full administrative control and responsibility for the property and any improvements on it.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Biased and Unjust Care Reporting Act to establish a system for reporting mistreatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It defines specific harmful behaviors, including obstetric racism and obstetric violence, and requires the state Department of Civil Rights to use a validated survey tool to collect these reports. The department must then compile and share de-identified data on the frequency of these incidents with state officials, while ensuring no personal identifying information is disclosed. The legislation directly affects pregnant and postpartum individuals seeking gynecological care and the health facilities and professionals providing that care.