Rep. Jaime Greene

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Revised School Code to allow students to use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the standard Michigan Merit Examination for college entrance requirements. It specifically permits 11th and 12th-grade students to take the CLT in place of the traditional assessment, which currently covers English language arts, mathematics, reading, science, and social studies. The legislation also introduces a waiver process for the workforce readiness portion of the exam, requiring parents to submit a signed request by late February of the school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts provide informational letters to students and families explaining the purpose and benefits of the workforce readiness test before it is administered.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's state school aid requirements by allowing students to use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an option for the college entrance portion of the Michigan merit examination. Under the new provisions, districts must still administer a comprehensive exam that includes college entrance assessments, a workforce readiness test, and a social studies component, but students may now choose the CLT to satisfy the college entrance requirement. The legislation also establishes a waiver process for the workforce readiness test, permitting parents to opt their children out by submitting a signed form to their school district by February 28. Additionally, the bill mandates that all scaled scores from the exam be recorded on high school transcripts alongside attendance records.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update the definitions and operational requirements for veterans treatment courts. It clarifies who qualifies as a veteran for these programs, including those with specific service-connected mental health conditions, and establishes a non-adversarial approach that integrates drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment with the justice system. To implement these courts, the legislation requires local courts to form formal agreements with prosecutors, defense attorneys, community providers, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure coordinated support and monitoring. Additionally, the bill allows for transferring eligible participants between jurisdictions to ensure access to these specialized programs when local options are unavailable.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to formally recognize veteran status as a factor in determining sentences. It defines a "veteran" as someone who served at least 180 days in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, with specific exceptions for those diagnosed with service-connected mental health conditions. The key provision requires courts to set a minimum sentence of zero months if they find a clear connection between the crime and a condition stemming from the offender's military service. This change applies to offenses where the defendant is a veteran and the court makes the required finding regarding the link between their service and the offense.

Maddy summaryThis resolution officially designates June 2026 as Dairy Month in Michigan to recognize the state's significant dairy industry. The measure highlights the sector's economic contributions, including its role in food production, job creation, and public health through nutritious dairy products. By adopting this symbolic declaration, the legislature aims to celebrate the achievements of local dairy farmers and processors while promoting awareness of the nutritional benefits of dairy consumption.

Maddy summaryHB 4865 requires baby food manufacturers in Michigan to test each product lot for heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) starting January 1, 2026. Manufacturers must use accredited labs to test samples to a minimum sensitivity of 6 micrograms per kilogram and report results to the state. Starting January 1, 2027, manufacturers must post test results online via webpages and include QR codes on product labels linking to this information. Products exceeding safety limits must be recalled or disposed of, directly affecting baby food producers and increasing transparency for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's state school aid act to clarify penalties for school districts that fail to submit required attendance data or do not meet minimum instructional day requirements. It maintains existing rules that withhold state funding from districts which miss submission deadlines or lose instructional days due to strikes, while also specifying that districts adding days to their calendar for weather-related closures are held to a lower attendance threshold of 60% instead of 75%. The legislation ensures that financial penalties are applied proportionally to the number of lost instructional hours or days and prevents double penalties for the same fiscal year. Districts must continue to certify compliance with these standards annually to receive their full state aid allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's property tax rules to clarify how taxable values are calculated when property ownership transfers. It establishes that a property's taxable value resets to its current market value upon transfer, but then limits future annual increases to the lesser of 5% or the inflation rate until another transfer occurs. The legislation also defines specific scenarios where a transfer does not trigger a reset, such as when property is moved into a trust by a parent for their own children or grandchildren, provided the home remains residential. Additionally, it allows local tax officials to correct past valuation errors related to missed transfers for up to three years and clarifies rules for land contracts and certain bond-funded properties.

Maddy summaryHB 5990 modifies Michigan's child care licensing laws to clarify that foster family homes are not subject to the same licensing rules as standard child care centers. The bill requires foster families to provide a recent medical statement from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner confirming that no household member has a known condition that could affect a child's care, but it explicitly exempts these families from mandatory vaccination requirements for all household members. Additionally, the legislation outlines specific procedures for placing older children and adults with disabilities in various foster care settings, ensuring that such placements are reviewed periodically to confirm they remain in the best interests of the individuals involved.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan health insurers and health maintenance organizations to offer a program that synchronizes multiple maintenance prescription drugs for patients with chronic long-term conditions, provided the patient, physician, and pharmacist agree it is in the patient's best interest. The law mandates that if a step therapy protocol is used to restrict drug coverage, the criteria for these protocols must be based on high-quality clinical practice guidelines developed by an unbiased, multidisciplinary panel that includes public review opportunities. Additionally, the bill establishes specific conditions under which a step therapy exception must be granted quickly, such as when a drug is contraindicated, ineffective, or causes harm, and it ensures that all relevant clinical review criteria are transparently available to patients and healthcare providers.