Human services: services or financial assistance; water rate affordability program; create. Creates new act.

HB 4555, the Water Affordability Act, creates a program to help low-income Michigan households afford water and sewer bills by adjusting rates based on household income. It defines "qualified customers" as those with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or recipients of specific public assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or energy assistance. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will administer the program, processing applications within 30 days to determine eligibility and set water bills at a rate not exceeding a specified percentage of household income. The bill also provides additional protections for "protected customers," including seniors, children, and individuals with medical conditions requiring continuous water service.