Rep. Graham Filler

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to advise the state on research, diagnosis, and treatment for rare diseases. The council will be composed of a diverse group of members, including medical professionals, patient advocates, industry representatives, and individuals with rare diseases, who will serve four-year terms. Once established, the council is authorized to hold public hearings, consult with experts, and apply for grants to develop recommendations for improving care and support for those affected by conditions that impact fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Liquor Control Code to prevent the Liquor Control Commission from using certain past violations to deny, suspend, or revoke liquor licenses. Specifically, it states that if at least two years have passed since a violation occurred, the commission cannot consider it when making licensing decisions. The law defines a "qualified violation" as any breach of the liquor code that is not a criminal offense or a state civil infraction. This change aims to ensure that older, non-criminal mistakes do not permanently bar individuals or businesses from holding liquor licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from discriminating against or retaliating against employees who are victims of violent crimes, including those who need time off for legal proceedings or workplace safety adjustments. It requires employers to post and distribute a notice about these protections to all staff and allows victims to request specific accommodations, such as schedule changes or security measures like door locks. If an employer violates these rules, the affected employee can file a lawsuit within three years to seek remedies like reinstatement, compensation, and legal fees. The state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is tasked with enforcing the law and creating detailed rules to guide implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws on expunging criminal convictions by clarifying how multiple offenses are counted and adjusting the waiting periods before individuals can apply to have their records set aside. Under the new rules, crimes committed within a 24-hour window and stemming from the same incident will be treated as a single offense unless they involve assault, weapons, or carry a maximum penalty of ten years or more. The legislation also establishes specific waiting times based on the severity of the crime, ranging from three years for standard misdemeanors to seven years for serious felonies, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during those waiting periods. Additionally, the bill mandates that expungement applications include detailed personal information, a certified record of the convictions, and a $50 processing fee paid to the state police.

Maddy summaryHB 6239 proposes to amend Michigan's employment security laws to create a permanent exception for individuals who leave their jobs due to domestic violence, gender violence, or sexual violence. Under current rules, victims of such violence are only exempt from unemployment benefit disqualification until March 31, 2021, and this bill seeks to extend that protection indefinitely. The legislation would allow these individuals to receive unemployment benefits without the benefits being charged to their former employer's account. This change directly affects workers who must leave employment to escape abusive situations, ensuring they maintain financial support while seeking safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's income tax law to reflect the official name change of the "Good Jobs for Michigan" fund. It requires that specific tax revenues linked to certified new jobs be deposited into the renamed fund rather than the old title. Additionally, the legislation mandates that tax returns clearly separate the portion of withheld taxes paid to the state from amounts sent to community colleges or the renamed fund. These changes ensure that financial records accurately describe where the money goes while maintaining the existing rules for how taxes are collected and reported.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to require the fund to submit a detailed annual report detailing its activities and financial assistance programs. The report must include specific data such as the number and average salary of new and retained jobs, the amount of money returned to the fund, and the status of all loans. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the fund immediately notify legislative leaders and relevant committees if any recipient receiving over $500,000 in assistance files for bankruptcy. The bill also requires an annual audit by the auditor general to assess the fund's ability to meet its obligations and makes these reports and audits available to the public online.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to establish a new program called the High-Wage Incentive for Regional Employment in Michigan fund. It authorizes businesses that create certified new jobs to receive payments from this fund based on captured withholding taxes, provided they meet specific performance conditions. The legislation outlines procedures for issuing annual certificates to eligible businesses, requiring the fund to process payment requests within 90 days, and mandates that businesses forfeit funds if they fail to maintain their job creation commitments. Additionally, the bill creates a separate fund account that retains its balance year-to-year and requires the fund to publish details about payments and recipients on its website. The bill includes a provision stating that it will not take effect unless a related Senate bill is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan school districts to install and use stop-arm cameras on school buses to automatically record vehicles that fail to stop or pass illegally. The law defines these camera systems as setups with at least two cameras that capture video or photos of the offending vehicle, its license plate, and the area up to 200 feet in front of the bus, while also logging the date, time, and location of the incident. School districts have the flexibility to operate these systems themselves, partner with law enforcement agencies for enforcement and cost-sharing, or hire private vendors to manage the technology. Additionally, the bill clarifies legal definitions for terms like "public school," "nonpublic school," and "law enforcement agency" within the state's pupil transportation act.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's vehicle code to allow school districts to use cameras on school buses to automatically detect and fine drivers who fail to stop when the bus is loading or unloading students. It establishes that drivers caught by these cameras must pay civil fines between $100 and $500, with the revenue from these fines going directly to the school district that operates the bus for safety-related purposes. The legislation also clarifies that vehicles on divided highways with physical barriers or raised dividers do not need to stop for a school bus on the other side, and it sets specific rules for how law enforcement agencies can review camera evidence and issue citations.