SB 145 prohibits Michigan employers from asking job applicants about their past wages, credit scores, or credit history during the hiring process. This directly affects job seekers by preventing employers from using this information to make hiring or compensation decisions. The bill amends Michigan's Fair Employment Practices law to explicitly ban employers from requesting or seeking such details, replacing a prior prohibition on wage history inquiries. It aims to reduce pay discrimination by ensuring compensation decisions are based on current job requirements, not past earnings or credit data. The law would apply to all employers covered under Michigan's wage and employment protections.
SB 158 prohibits the use of automated programs (bots) to purchase event tickets online in bulk. It directly affects consumers trying to buy tickets fairly and venues or ticket sellers using such bots to manipulate sales. The bill creates a new legal prohibition against these automated ticket-buying practices, making it illegal for businesses to deploy them. This policy change aims to prevent scalping and ensure equitable access to tickets for the general public.
SB 362 updates Michigan's definition of "racketeering" in the penal code to explicitly include "a felony violation of the identity theft protection act" (2004 PA 452). This means identity theft crimes now qualify as racketeering offenses, allowing prosecutors to pursue them under more severe racketeering statutes. The change directly affects individuals convicted of identity theft, as it expands the legal framework for charging such cases. The bill revises Section 159g of the penal code to add this specific reference, without creating new penalties or altering existing laws.
SB 364 updates Michigan's criminal procedure code to clarify jurisdiction rules for prosecuting identity theft cases. It specifies that identity theft violations under the Identity Theft Protection Act (2004 PA 452) and related laws can be prosecuted in three locations: where the crime occurred, where stolen data was used, or where the victim lives. The bill also ensures that if multiple identity theft violations are charged, any jurisdiction can handle all charges together, preventing fragmented prosecutions. This change directly affects prosecutors and courts handling identity theft cases under the listed statutes.
SB 363 amends Michigan's criminal liability standards in Section 9 of the Revised Statutes (MCL 8.9) to clarify when a defendant must prove a specific mental state (like intent or knowledge) for a crime. The key provision updates the statute to explicitly exclude the Identity Theft Protection Act (2004 PA 452) from these new liability rules, ensuring existing standards for identity theft cases remain unchanged. This bill affects all criminal prosecutions under Michigan law except those specifically covered by the Identity Theft Protection Act. The change is procedural, updating statutory references without altering penalties or creating new requirements for identity theft offenses.
Senate Bill 360 amends Michigan's existing Identity Theft Protection Act. The bill revises and expands several key definitions, including what constitutes a "breach of the security of a database" and various types of "personal information" and "personal identifying information." These updates clarify the scope of protected data and the circumstances under which a security breach occurs, directly affecting Michigan residents and entities that handle their personal information. Additionally, the bill introduces new sections and repeals others, indicating a comprehensive update to the act's provisions.
SB 165 is a funding bill that allocates $166.4 million in state general funds for Michigan's Department of Education during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific appropriations for key programs including special education services ($9.8 million), Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind ($19.4 million), and departmental operations like information technology ($4.9 million). The bill directs state funds to cover salaries, program operations, and essential services across education departments, with additional support from federal and private revenue sources. It directly affects state education programs and administrative functions, ensuring funding continuity for existing services without creating new policies.
SB 234 requires Michigan public school districts and public school academies to create and implement policies limiting student cell phone use during school hours starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy must restrict phones during instructional time, breaks, lunch, and recess, while requiring exceptions for emergencies, medical devices, and students with disabilities (as required by law). Schools must detail enforcement methods and post the policy on their websites. This directly affects all Michigan K-12 public schools and their governing boards. The bill does not ban phones outright but mandates structured policies to reduce classroom distractions.
