Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Critical Health Problems Education Act to strengthen the state's comprehensive health education initiatives. It requires the Department of Education to create a program that guides local school districts in developing health curricula and provides professional training for teachers. A key provision mandates the use of regional school health coordinators, who are qualified professionals funded by state agencies to assist in implementing wellness programs across all schools. Additionally, the legislation expands the department's staff with health education specialists and fosters partnerships between schools and higher education institutions to improve teacher preparation.

Maddy summarySB 1123 amends Michigan's school code to update requirements for health education, specifically focusing on HIV/AIDS instruction and CPR training. The bill mandates that teachers instructing on HIV/AIDS must have specialized training provided by regional school health coordinators, who are funded professionals designed to support comprehensive wellness programs across the state. Additionally, the legislation requires health education curricula for grades 7 through 12 to include CPR and automated external defibrillator instruction, utilizing nationally recognized guidelines and allowing various community members like firefighters and police officers to assist in teaching. The bill also clarifies that teachers do not need to be certified CPR instructors unless the class results in students earning a certification card.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a new crime in Michigan for knowingly removing or damaging a condom during sexual contact or penetration without the partner's consent. The law would apply to individuals engaging in sexual activity where a condom was originally used with the other person's agreement, treating the removal as a form of non-consensual conduct. Penalties for a first offense include up to 90 days in jail or a fine of $10,000, while repeat offenders could face up to one year in jail. By adding this specific provision to the state penal code, the legislation aims to address situations where the use of protection is withdrawn without permission.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to update how work permits are issued and managed for minors under 18. It shifts the responsibility for issuing work permits from school officials to the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity after a 18-month transition period, while also creating a new registration system for both workers and employers. The legislation maintains specific exemptions for certain agricultural tasks, unpaid volunteers for non-profits, and participants in state fairs, but requires employers to keep proof of age and permits on file for all other regulated jobs.

Maddy summarySB 965 modifies the Youth Employment Standards Act in Michigan to update penalties for employers who violate rules regarding the hiring of minors. The bill clarifies that the minimum employment age is 14, while allowing specific exceptions for 11- and 13-year-olds working as referees, caddies, or in farming under strict conditions. It also increases the maximum administrative fine for violations from $500 to $5,000 and raises criminal penalties for repeat offenders and those who cause serious harm to a minor on the job.

Maddy summarySB 1089 prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from conducting post-claim underwriting, which means insurers cannot investigate a policyholder's risk or deny a claim based on information discovered after the policy was issued. This change directly affects consumers by preventing insurers from using facts learned during a claims investigation to retroactively justify denying coverage. The bill amends existing unfair practices laws to explicitly ban this specific behavior, ensuring that underwriting decisions are made only before a policy is issued or renewed. Additionally, the legislation requires insurers to maintain detailed records of customer complaints and mandates that agents forward written complaints to their companies promptly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to follow appeals decisions made by the state regarding insurance coverage disputes. It mandates that these providers submit necessary records to insurers and must comply with any rulings issued by the department of insurance after an appeal process. Additionally, the bill gives insurers the authority to request written explanations for treatments that exceed standard medical norms and establishes specific rules for reviewing the quality and necessity of care. If an insurer determines that care was inappropriate or overutilized, the provider can appeal that decision to the state department, which must then issue a binding decision.

Maddy summarySB 1087 increases the maximum civil fines that state officials can impose on insurance companies and other entities for violating Michigan's insurance code. The bill raises penalties for insurers from $50,000 to $100,000 per violation and for non-insurers from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, while also adjusting the total caps on fines for repeat or intentional offenses. These changes apply to violations such as failing to file required documents correctly or engaging in unfair or deceptive business practices. The legislation ensures that any fines collected are turned over to the state treasurer and credited to the general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the financial penalties for insurance companies that fail to pay valid claims on time. It directly affects insurance providers, policyholders, and third-party claimants by requiring them to pay 12% annual interest on benefits delayed beyond specific deadlines. The legislation establishes new rules for when interest begins to accrue, such as starting 60 days after an insurer receives proof of loss, and sets tiered interest rates based on how late a payment is. Additionally, it outlines specific timelines for health plans to process and pay claims to medical providers, including requirements to notify providers of claim defects within 30 days.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 145 is a non-binding measure that formally recognizes the historic, cultural, and religious significance of Diwali. The resolution highlights how the festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in Michigan and around the world, noting its themes of light triumphing over darkness and community togetherness. It expresses the Senate's respect for those who observe the holiday and aligns its message of tolerance with American ideals. Because this is a commemorative resolution rather than a law, it does not create new legal requirements or change existing policies.