SB 134 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Consumer protection: other; amendments to the Michigan consumer protection act; provide for. Amends title & secs. 2, 4, 5, 10 & 15 of 1976 PA 331 (MCL 445.902 et seq.) & adds secs. 4a, 5a, 8a & 21a.

SB 134 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to clarify key definitions and expand protections for consumers. It adds specific definitions for "elder" (80+ years old), "small business" (under 250 employees or $6 million annual sales), and "vulnerable adult," while clarifying that the law does not apply to franchise sales or the sale of an ongoing business. The bill also refines the definition of "business opportunity" to prohibit sellers from making misleading income guarantees or refund promises that would mislead consumers. These changes aim to make consumer protection standards more precise and applicable to vulnerable groups and common business practices.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Jun 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill As Passed by the Senate · 7 edits · Jun 10, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to strengthen protections against deceptive business practices, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like elders and vulnerable adults. It adds new definitions for key terms, creates a revolving enforcement fund, and establishes stricter penalties for violations involving elderly or vulnerable adult victims.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of consumer protection by adding specific protections for elders and vulnerable adults, clarifying what constitutes 'trade or commerce' to include more business activities, and creating a new enforcement fund to support consumer protection efforts.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'business opportunity', 'elder', 'nonprofit organization', 'performing group', 'recording group', 'sound recording', 'trade or commerce', and 'vulnerable adult' to clarify what is covered under the act.

Modified the definition of 'trade or commerce' to clarify exclusions for franchise sales while explicitly including pyramid promotional schemes.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new consumer protection and antitrust revolving enforcement and education fund to finance enforcement activities and public education.

Added new section 5a establishing higher civil fines ($25,000 to $50,000) for violations targeting elders or vulnerable adults.

Added new section 8a granting the attorney general and prosecuting attorneys authority to issue written demands for information and documentary material related to investigations.

FISCAL

Established a fund that receives deposits of attorney fees, costs, damages, and refunds from successful enforcement actions, with specific allocation percentages based on amounts.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for written demands in investigations, including descriptions of violations, timeframes for compliance, and procedures for seeking protective orders.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced
received on 06/10/2025
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 158 YEAS 19 NAYS 18 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
upper
May 21, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 5/20/2025
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SAM SINGH
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Sam Singh
Sam Singh
DDemocratic
MI
28