This bill modifies Michigan's child custody laws to include equal parenting time with both parents as a specific factor when courts decide what is in a child's best interest. It establishes a legal presumption that awarding equal or approximately equal parenting time to each parent serves the child's best interests, unless proven otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. The legislation also strengthens protections against offenders convicted of criminal sexual conduct by prohibiting them from receiving custody of their own children or siblings without the consent of the other parent or the child. These changes directly affect parents involved in custody disputes and aim to ensure that custody decisions prioritize balanced parental involvement while maintaining safety for victims of sexual misconduct.
This bill requires Michigan's Friend of the Court offices to provide specific information to parents involved in child custody or support cases. The key changes mandate that these offices give parties a pamphlet explaining their rights, including the legal presumption of equal parenting time and the option to close the Friend of the Court case if they do not need its enforcement services. Additionally, the bill ensures parents are informed about joint custody options, alternative dispute resolution methods, and how to file grievances against the office. These informational duties must be fulfilled as soon as possible after a case is filed, with an oral explanation available upon request. The legislation also clarifies procedures for investigations and fee assessments related to custody and support recommendations.
HB 5091 amends Michigan's Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act by clarifying key definitions used in financial reporting. It specifically defines terms like "public officer" (including state legislators, the governor, attorney general, and county officials in large counties), "earned income," "gift," and "liabilities" for disclosure purposes. These definitions will directly affect elected state officials and certain county leaders who must file annual financial disclosures. The bill does not change reporting requirements but ensures consistent understanding of terms used in the disclosure forms. It focuses on standardizing terminology rather than creating new obligations.
This bill creates the Michigan PFAS action response team (MPART), a new state entity dedicated to addressing contamination from PFAS chemicals, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' The team will be composed of directors from various state departments, including environmental protection and health services, who will work together to identify affected sites, develop cleanup plans, and coordinate public health responses. MPART is authorized to conduct investigations, hire experts, share information with local and federal agencies, and recommend changes to existing laws to better manage environmental and public safety threats related to PFAS.
This bill creates a new Citizen's Advisory Working Group within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist with PFAS contamination efforts. The group will be made up of current or former residents from communities affected by PFAS contamination, and its members will serve without pay but can receive reimbursement for necessary expenses. The group's main duties include advising the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team on community outreach, reviewing existing strategies, and making recommendations to improve public awareness of health risks related to PFAS.
This bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to clarify how disabled veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for tax exemptions on their homes. It establishes specific criteria for eligibility based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ratings and outlines a streamlined process where exemptions granted after January 1, 2025, remain in effect without needing annual reapplication. The legislation also introduces an audit program to verify eligibility every three years and defines clear rules for prorating tax exemptions when property ownership changes during the year.
This bill, known as the Hazardous Products Act, would ban the sale and manufacture of household items containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting in 2027. The legislation specifically targets a wide range of consumer goods, including clothing, carpets, cookware, cosmetics, baby products, and upholstery, while explicitly excluding military equipment and personal protective gear. To enforce these restrictions, the bill establishes penalties for violations, ranging from misdemeanor fines for first offenses to felony charges for repeat offenders, and grants individuals the right to sue for damages or seek court orders to stop non-compliant production.
This bill creates a grant program within Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to assist farmers whose land, crops, or water are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The program would provide financial aid for medical testing, purchasing or selling land, cleaning up contamination, and replacing lost income or mortgage payments. Funding for these grants would come from a new state fund, potentially financed by increased fines on large corporations that violate environmental laws. Farmers applying for assistance would need to submit detailed financial records and a plan explaining how they intend to use the funds. The bill also defines specific criteria for what constitutes PFAS contamination and outlines the process for the state department to administer the program.
This bill updates Michigan's peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules to align with the state's elimination of no-fault insurance. It requires car sharing programs to ensure that both vehicle owners and drivers maintain specific liability and property damage coverage during rental periods. The law clarifies that the car sharing company assumes liability for accidents unless the owner committed fraud or failed to return the vehicle properly. Additionally, the bill establishes that the car sharing program's insurance must act as primary coverage in case of disputes or if the owner's policy lapses.
This bill proposes to update the minimum liability insurance limits required for automobile policies in Michigan, affecting all vehicle owners and drivers in the state. It establishes new coverage thresholds that will take effect on July 1, 2027, raising the minimum protection for bodily injury and property damage compared to current standards. The legislation also mandates that insurers provide specific forms and pricing options to drivers who wish to purchase lower liability limits voluntarily, while ensuring these drivers acknowledge the associated risks. Additionally, the bill requires insurers to notify policyholders if they remove any coverages from an existing policy.
This bill directs that fines collected from specific state civil infractions under Michigan's natural resources and environmental protection act be used to fund a grant program assisting farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. It achieves this by creating an exception to the existing rule that typically requires all such civil fines to be dedicated exclusively to supporting public and county law libraries. The legislation does not take effect unless it is tied to and passed alongside a companion bill that establishes the actual grant program for the farmers.
This bill designates a specific segment of Highway M-28 in Baraga County as the "Sgt. Fabian T. Godell Memorial Highway." The legislation amends the state's memorial highway act to officially name the road in honor of Sergeant Fabian T. Godell. Additionally, it authorizes signs along this stretch to display the text "Silver Star" and "World War II" to recognize his military service. The change directly affects the naming of the roadway and the signage displayed to the public in that area.
