Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing law to officially rename the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsperson. It directly affects the Michigan Department of Corrections by granting the ombudsperson expanded powers to investigate complaints from prisoners, their families, legislators, and advocates regarding administrative actions or facility issues. Key provisions allow the ombudsperson to access prisoner medical and mental health records, hire qualified experts, and use photographic equipment during investigations. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a standardized complaint form available both online and in correctional facility libraries to streamline how grievances are filed.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to allow security deposits to be returned via electronic transfer instead of only by check or money order. It requires landlords to mail tenants an itemized list of claimed damages within 30 days of moving out, but permits them to send the refund directly to a bank account, mobile payment app, or internet payment service if they choose. If a landlord uses this electronic method, they must deposit the funds into the tenant's account within 10 days of mailing the notice. The bill also mandates that the damage notice include a specific, bolded statement informing tenants they must respond within seven days or forfeit the claimed amount.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Open Meetings Act to clarify and expand the specific situations in which public bodies can hold closed sessions. It directly affects government agencies, school districts, and other public organizations by defining new grounds for meeting privately, such as discussing security threats to students, interviewing job candidates, or negotiating collective bargaining agreements. The legislation also adds protections for higher education institutions by allowing private discussions during the search for a university president, provided a diverse search committee is used and the final vote remains public. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits the independent citizens redistricting commission from meeting in closed sessions for any reason. Overall, the changes aim to balance the need for confidentiality in sensitive matters with the public's right to know how government decisions are made.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to screen children entering foster care for eligibility for state and federal benefits within 90 days and to apply for those benefits if it serves the child's best interests. Starting in October 2026, the state generally cannot use a child's earned income or benefits to pay for their foster care, though exceptions exist for special needs services or conserving funds for future needs. The department must act as a responsible manager of these funds, providing regular accounting to the child and their guardian ad litem, and offering financial literacy training to older youth. Additionally, the law mandates that any assets or income the child owns be transferred to them when they leave the system or turn 18.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities, villages, and townships in Michigan to charge an additional fee on tickets for events like concerts, sports games, and museum visits. The fee is capped at $3.00 per ticket and cannot be applied to admissions priced at $30.00 or less, while exempting events such as those at schools, colleges, and small venues with fewer than 500 attendees. Local governments must pass an ordinance to implement the fee, and the state Department of Treasury will handle the collection and distribution of the money, which must then be used by the municipality to cover costs related to entertainment events. Entertainment providers or online marketplace facilitators selling these tickets would be responsible for collecting and remitting the fee to the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure laws to allow judges and magistrates to issue and sign search warrants using electronic methods, such as fax or computer networks. It permits affidavits and warrants to be transmitted digitally, provided that the judge or magistrate orally administers the oath and the document is signed electronically or via a scanned signature. The law also clarifies that these digital documents are considered official originals and do not require a physical seal. Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline for when search warrant affidavits become public records, allowing for temporary secrecy if an investigation is ongoing or if victim and witness safety is at risk. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial officers who handle search warrant requests and executions.
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 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.