This law updates rules for public school academies in Michigan by requiring authorizing bodies to publish specific details about school signage, advertising, and promotional materials. It mandates that contracts for these schools include clear educational goals, annual financial audits, and public access to operational records such as board minutes and budgets. Additionally, the bill establishes stricter guidelines for selecting school directors, requiring them to be U.S. citizens and prohibiting certain family or financial relationships between board members and management company employees. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability for privately operated public schools while maintaining their status within the state's public education system.
This bill requires health insurance companies operating in Michigan to cover mental health screenings for new mothers during the postpartum period. The law directly affects health insurers and the women who receive their coverage, ensuring these specific screenings are included in their policies. It achieves this by amending the state's insurance code to mandate compliance with existing public health guidelines regarding postpartum care. The measure becomes effective on April 2, 2025, provided a related companion bill is also enacted.
This bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan employers to encourage research and development spending starting in 2025. The credit amount depends on company size, offering a higher percentage of expenses for businesses with fewer than 250 employees and an additional bonus for those that partner with in-state universities. To receive the credit, companies must submit a preliminary claim by April 1, 2026, and the total amount of all credits awarded in any single year is capped at $100 million, which may require reducing individual claims if the limit is reached.
This bill establishes a state-level Perinatal Quality Collaborative to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Michigan. The program will create ten regional groups, each led by a designated agency, to bring together healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to review data and develop local action plans. These regional teams will focus on advancing equity, supporting families affected by substance use, and ensuring respectful care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. The state department will provide resources to these collaboratives, subject to available funding, to help implement proven strategies for better birth outcomes.
This bill updates the rules for Michigan early stage venture investment corporations, which are organizations that invest money to help small businesses grow. It requires these corporations to include specific language in their official documents stating they must return profits to the state and outlines exactly how much money must be sent to state funds based on when the corporation ends or when its special investment fund expires. Specifically, the law mandates that if these corporations have earned returns by June 30, 2024, they must send $60 million to a state jobs trust fund, while any remaining profits go to the general state fund. For years after 2024, all earned returns must be sent to the general fund, and upon the corporation's final dissolution, the first $140 million of remaining assets must go to the general fund before any leftover money is directed to the jobs trust. The bill also includes a condition that it will only become active if two other related bills are passed into law.
This Michigan law updates rules for paper ballots used in primary elections, specifically requiring that ballots printed on demand at early voting sites, election day vote centers, or registration offices include a detachable stub with a consecutive number and the words "official primary ballot." The legislation also mandates that these ballots must be prepared in a specific format that includes a warning stating voters cannot split their ticket by voting for candidates from more than one party. Additionally, the bill clarifies how ballot labels must be printed and arranged to clearly identify political parties and office titles for voters. These changes apply to election officials and clerks who prepare and distribute ballots for upcoming primary elections.
This bill expands the duties of the Michigan Sentencing Commission to include ongoing research on sentencing effectiveness and the collection of data on prison populations and recidivism rates. It requires the commission to develop recommended modifications to sentencing guidelines that ensure proportionality, reduce disparities, and consider victim input while protecting public safety. Additionally, the bill mandates that any proposed changes to sentencing guidelines must include intermediate sanctions for cases with shorter maximum sentences and require a report on the projected impact on correctional facility capacity. The legislation also establishes specific policies the commission must follow, such as eliminating inequities across population groups and preserving judicial discretion within legal frameworks. Finally, the bill includes a provision stating that it will not take effect unless another related bill, HB 4173, is also enacted into law.
This bill modifies the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Act to clarify the powers and tax status of land bank authorities. It explicitly grants these authorities broad operational abilities, such as borrowing money, entering contracts, hiring staff, and managing or selling real property. The legislation also reinforces that land bank property and income are exempt from state and local taxes and special assessments, while adding new requirements for ethics codes and conflict of interest disclosures. Additionally, the bill prohibits land banks from assisting in casino development and confirms they cannot exercise eminent domain.
This bill updates Michigan's education savings program rules to align with recent changes in federal tax law. It specifically allows account owners to use their savings for qualified expenses related to apprenticeships and student loan interest, in addition to traditional tuition and fees. The legislation also clarifies that withdrawals used for these new purposes remain tax-free, provided they meet other federal requirements. By amending state tax definitions, the law ensures that the program continues to offer tax benefits consistent with current national standards.
SB 975 amends Michigan's unemployment insurance law to clarify when individuals are disqualified from receiving benefits. The bill establishes specific rules for leaving a job voluntarily, such as quitting without good cause, missing work for three days without notice, or losing a job requirement due to negligence. It also outlines stricter requirements for those leaving due to medical reasons, requiring proof that continuing work would harm their health and that they attempted to find alternative arrangements. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions for certain situations where leaving work does not result in disqualification, such as for military spouses or victims of domestic violence, while adjusting how benefits are funded in these cases.
This bill modifies Michigan election law to establish a stricter deadline for filing lawsuits related to election procedures, such as candidate qualifications or ballot design. It creates a rebuttable presumption of laches, meaning that if a civil action is not started at least 45 days before an election, the court will assume the delay was unreasonable unless the plaintiff proves otherwise. This rule applies only to cases filed before the election date and does not affect lawsuits initiated after the election has occurred. The legislation also repeals an existing section of the state's election regulations to implement this new timeline.
This bill establishes a new scholarship program in Michigan to help individuals who face financial hardship become doulas, providing continuous support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need, prove Michigan residency, and commit to serving as a doula in a health professional shortage area or with a medically underserved population. The program awards up to $3,000 per person to cover training costs such as books and workshop fees, with funds drawn from a dedicated state treasury account. Recipients must use the money to complete approved doula training and provide proof of their work or training progress within six months, or they must repay the award.
