Michigan House Bill 6262 amends the state penal code to expand the definition of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which applies to individuals who engage in sexual penetration under specific circumstances such as involving a minor, using force, or exploiting a position of trust. The bill adds new provisions that criminalize such acts when the victim is a student aged 16 to 17 with a school employee, a person receiving special education services up to age 25, or a resident of a child care or foster home who is at least 16 years old. It also introduces an affirmative defense for victims in incest cases where they were coerced by an authority figure and excludes married couples from certain incest charges. The legislation increases the minimum prison sentence for this felony from five to 15 years, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and takes effect 90 days after enactment.
Michigan House Bill 6263 amends the state penal code to expand the definition of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is classified as a misdemeanor felony. The bill specifically targets individuals who engage in sexual contact with minors aged 16 to 17 who are students, or young adults aged 16 to 25 receiving special education services, when the perpetrator is a teacher, school employee, volunteer, or other authority figure using their position to gain access to the victim. It also includes provisions for sexual contact involving foster care residents and mental health patients, while maintaining existing penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of $500.
Michigan House Bill 6271 creates a new individual income tax credit for taxpayers who pay local building permit fees to construct a new single-family home. Starting with the 2027 tax year, eligible individuals can claim a credit equal to their actual permit costs, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. The bill requires taxpayers to provide reasonable proof of these expenses to the state department if requested. If the total credit amount is greater than the taxpayer's annual income tax liability, the excess portion must be refunded to the taxpayer rather than being lost.
Michigan House Bill 6248 updates the definitions in the state's crude oil and petroleum act to explicitly include carbon dioxide substances used for storage or enhanced recovery operations. The bill clarifies that individuals and companies do not have an inherent right to transport, store, or deal in these substances via pipelines without authorization from the Michigan Public Service Commission. It also specifies that this regulatory framework does not apply to rights that existed before 1929 or to carbon sequestration wells operating under separate environmental laws. This legislation is tied to two other bills and will only take effect if all three are enacted into law by the current legislature.
Michigan Senate Bill 1124 allows homeless or runaway youths who are at least 14 years old to consent to and receive medically necessary health care without requiring parental permission. The bill defines specific criteria for these youths, including those seeking shelter in basic centers or transitional living programs, and lists acceptable documentation such as statements from school liaisons, attorneys, or two adults familiar with the individual's circumstances. Additionally, it grants young parents aged 14 and older the right to consent to medical treatment for their own children. Health care providers are protected from civil or criminal liability when treating these youths without parental consent, though they remain liable for any negligence in diagnosis or treatment.
This bill amends the state school aid act to appropriate approximately $18.1 billion for public schools and education purposes for the fiscal year ending in 2026, and about $18.8 billion for the following year. It specifies that these funds will be drawn from multiple sources, including the state school aid fund, the general fund, and various specialized reserve funds for transportation, enrollment stabilization, and educator fellowships. Additionally, the bill allocates up to $50,000 from the state school aid fund to support the operation of a specific "learner-first district." The legislation only takes effect if a separate companion bill is also enacted into law.
Michigan House Bill 6246 reestablishes the state travel commission and travel bureau within the Department of Commerce, Labor and Economic Opportunity by transferring their statutory authorities back from other entities. The bill mandates that the 13-member commission be appointed by the governor with senate consent, requiring at least seven members to be private sector business owners, including four small business operators. It outlines specific duties for the travel bureau, such as marketing the state as a destination and documenting the benefits of promotional efforts before and after funding them. The legislation also sets procedural rules for commission meetings, term limits, and public access to records, noting that it only takes effect if House Bill 6026 is also enacted.
Michigan House Bill 6244, titled the App Store Accountability Act, requires app store providers to verify the age of all account holders within 12 months and mandates that minors be linked to a parent account. The bill prohibits app stores from allowing minors to download apps or make in-app purchases without verifiable parental consent, which parents can grant or revoke at any time. Developers must notify app stores of significant changes to their applications and use industry-standard age ratings, while the state attorney general is tasked with establishing specific age verification rules. Violations of these requirements expose providers and developers to civil fines of up to $7,500 per violation and potential private lawsuits seeking damages or injunctive relief.
This House resolution urges the EPA Director to reexamine air quality non-attainment designations in West Michigan, specifically including Allegan County. It argues that current federal standards fail to account for pollution originating from urban areas across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, which affects local communities not responsible for those emissions. The text notes that these designations restrict manufacturing expansion and economic development in the region. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the EPA Administrator.
HB 6243 amends Michigan law to prohibit large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, with the restriction applying to entities that control more than 100 such properties and manage at least $375 million in assets. The bill defines specific exceptions that allow these investors to continue buying homes through build-to-rent programs, renovate-to-rent initiatives that meet structural standards, and homeownership assistance schemes that offer financial support or credit reporting benefits to renters. Additionally, the legislation permits acquisitions resulting from foreclosure or loss mitigation efforts, provided the properties are sold within a commercially reasonable timeframe, and allows for the transfer of homes already owned by these investors prior to the law's effective date.
HB 5940 allows electric utilities and other providers to install electronic transmission infrastructure, such as high-voltage power lines, within existing highway rights-of-way without needing separate consent from local governments. The bill establishes specific standards for underground placement to avoid increasing road maintenance costs and introduces a fee structure where utilities pay a one-time permit fee, with revenues dedicated to highway capital and maintenance. Additionally, the legislation creates a coordination process between the state transportation department and utilities to identify suitable routes and includes protections that prevent the state from relocating transmission lines for at least five years once a route is approved.
HB 5803 amends Michigan's child care licensing law to update the definitions of various facilities and staff members, such as clarifying who counts as a "child care staff member" or what constitutes a "children's camp." The bill directly affects child care centers, group homes, and other organizations that provide care for minors by refining the rules used to classify them under state regulations. By revising these specific terms in the statute, the legislation aims to ensure that licensing standards apply consistently to different types of care settings. This change does not alter existing licensing requirements but rather clarifies the language used to describe the entities and individuals covered by the law.
