Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state program to provide financial assistance to businesses that lose revenue due to unexpected street closures or road construction projects that run significantly longer than planned. To qualify for a grant, a business must prove a significant drop in profits over the previous three tax years, with each award capped at $15,000 per year. The Department of Transportation will manage the program, reviewing applications based on factors like the severity of traffic disruption and lack of pedestrian access, and must report annually on how funds are used. Money for these grants comes from a newly created fund in the state treasury, which can be funded by various sources and must be invested by the state treasurer.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Pet Cemetery Regulation Act to create a legal framework for operating pet cemeteries and crematoriums in Michigan. It requires operators to file land dedications that permanently restrict property use for pet burial or entombment and mandates the creation of an endowed care fund, which must be funded by at least 15% of individual burial fees to ensure long-term site maintenance. The legislation also defines specific terms for various burial methods and sets a minimum size requirement of three acres for new pet cemeteries, while outlining procedures for reclaiming land if owners fail to pay required fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update the fees that individuals must pay to file various civil cases in circuit courts. It specifically sets new dollar amounts for filing civil actions, appeals, jury trial demands, and motions, while also establishing fee exemptions for certain family law matters involving child custody or support. The legislation includes provisions for waiving these fees for indigent parties and outlines how collected funds will be distributed to state and county treasurers. Because the bill is tied to another piece of legislation, it will only become effective if that companion bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1041 proposes to repeal a 1913 law that regulated telephone lines and companies in Michigan. This bill would remove the legal framework that designated telephone services as common carriers and assigned regulatory duties to the Public Service Commission. The legislation includes a condition that it only becomes effective if a separate, related bill is also passed into law.

Maddy summarySB 1040 proposes changes to Michigan's existing laws regarding home sales and telephone solicitations. The bill updates the official title of the statute and modifies specific sections that outline the rights and duties of parties involved in these transactions. Additionally, it repeals several older sections that previously regulated telephone solicitations. This legislation directly affects consumers and businesses engaged in home solicitation sales and phone marketing within the state.

Maddy summarySB 1039 updates Michigan's consumer protection laws to strengthen rules against deceptive telephone solicitations and other unfair trade practices. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly define and prohibit specific misleading behaviors, such as falsely claiming products are new, exaggerating price reductions, or misrepresenting a consumer's need for repairs. It also introduces stricter requirements for environmental claims, ensuring that labels like "recycled" or "degradable" are backed by evidence, and adds new protections for vulnerable consumers who may be unable to understand agreements due to disability or illiteracy. By clarifying these definitions and adding new prohibited acts, the legislation aims to provide clearer guidance to businesses and better safeguards for consumers engaging in various transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Telephone Solicitation Act in Michigan to regulate how businesses and organizations make phone calls for sales, charity contributions, employment offers, or prize promotions. It defines specific terms such as "vulnerable individuals" (those 75 or older or with disabilities) and "vulnerable telephone numbers" like emergency lines and hospitals to protect these groups from unwanted contact. The law prohibits calling these protected numbers and requires clear, written consent from residents before using automated dialers, recorded messages, or prerecorded voicemails for solicitation purposes. Additionally, the act clarifies that calls to existing customers are generally allowed unless the customer has explicitly requested to stop receiving them, while also defining lead generation and low-income workers within the new framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's school code to require the state department to approve specific screening and diagnostic reading assessments for use in public schools and public school academies. The legislation mandates that these approved tools must evaluate students' progress toward reading proficiency while minimizing disruption to instructional time. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for district-identified literacy coaches to support teachers in implementing evidence-based reading instruction and addressing reading deficiencies. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, teachers, and students by standardizing early literacy screening and enhancing professional support for reading instruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan teacher preparation programs to include specific instruction on dyslexia and the science of reading by September 2027. To maintain approval, these programs must teach candidates about the characteristics of dyslexia, its secondary consequences, instructional adjustments, and methods for using multi-tiered systems of support. Programs preparing educators for reading, language arts, or special education roles must also cover evidence-based interventions grounded in structured literacy. The law includes a waiver process for programs not focused on these areas, which must be reviewed every two years, and it only takes effect if a companion bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Michigan's existing breastfeeding protections to explicitly include the expression of human milk, such as pumping breast milk in public spaces. It prohibits businesses and public service providers from denying access or displaying signs that discourage individuals from breastfeeding or expressing milk. The law applies to any place of public accommodation or public service, ensuring that these activities are treated with the same non-discriminatory standards as actual breastfeeding.