Rep. Kelly Breen

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Michigan from requiring employees, independent contractors, or interns to sign noncompete agreements, which are contracts that prevent workers from working for competitors after leaving their current job. The law allows noncompetes only in specific situations, such as when a business owner sells their company or when a worker is highly compensated and restricted from soliciting clients rather than competing directly. Agreements that violate these rules are declared unenforceable, and workers who face penalties for breaking them can sue for lost wages and legal fees. However, the bill does not ban agreements protecting trade secrets or those restricting client solicitation under strict conditions, such as a high salary and a one-year limit.

Maddy summaryHB 4405 updates Michigan's wage deduction laws by clarifying when employers can take money from employee paychecks without written permission. The bill specifically allows employers to deduct overpayments caused by mathematical or clerical errors and to satisfy court-ordered debt judgments without prior consent, provided they give employees written notice at least one pay period in advance. These deductions are limited to 15% of gross wages per pay period and cannot reduce an employee's pay below the applicable minimum wage. Additionally, the law requires employers to keep clear records for each deduction and prohibits prorating these amounts across multiple employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a specific sentencing guideline to Michigan's criminal code for violations related to wage and fringe benefit payments. By amending the state's sentencing guidelines, it aims to provide judges with a standardized framework for determining penalties in cases where employers fail to pay workers correctly. The legislation does not create new crimes or change existing laws but instead offers a tool for courts to apply consistent sentencing in these specific employment disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for employers in Michigan who intentionally fail to pay owed wages and fringe benefits to employees. The law establishes a tiered punishment system where the severity of the crime and the potential prison sentence depend on the total value of the unpaid money. Smaller unpaid amounts result in misdemeanor charges with shorter jail terms, while larger sums can lead to felony convictions with prison sentences of up to 20 years. Additionally, the bill allows fines to be up to three times the value of the unpaid wages, and repeat offenders face harsher penalties than first-time violators.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the financial penalties that employers in Michigan face for failing to pay owed wages or fringe benefits. Under the new rules, if an employer is found guilty of such violations, they must pay the employee the full amount owed plus a penalty equal to 100% of that amount for every year the payment is delayed. Additionally, the bill allows the state to award up to three times the owed amount as extra damages if the violation is considered flagrant or repeated, and it raises the maximum fine for breaking the law from $1,000 to $10,000. These changes apply to any employer who violates existing state laws regarding wage payment, record-keeping, or dispute resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan to provide wage information to employees who request it, specifically data on pay for similarly situated workers within the same job classification or with comparable duties. Under the new rules, employers must respond to such requests within 30 days and may share details like salary, bonuses, and overtime pay while redacting specific employee names but including their sex and seniority. The legislation also prohibits employers from forcing employees to sign nondisclosure agreements about their wages or from punishing workers who share their compensation information. These changes aim to increase transparency in the workplace by ensuring employees have access to comparative pay data and protecting them from retaliation when discussing their earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definitions within Michigan's Animal Welfare Fund Act to clarify terms like "animal control shelter," "qualified veterinarian," and "state animal anticruelty laws." By referencing existing statutes, the legislation ensures these terms align with current legal standards for animal care and veterinary licensing. The bill does not create new laws or change funding rules but rather organizes the current act for consistency. It includes a provision that prevents it from becoming effective unless a related companion bill is also passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes minor technical corrections to Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically updating a cross-reference within the sentencing guidelines section. The legislation does not introduce new laws or alter existing penalties but instead ensures that internal references in the statute accurately reflect recent amendments made to other sections. By updating these citations, the bill aims to maintain consistency and clarity in how sentencing rules are applied by courts. Directly affected parties are legal professionals and judges who rely on the code for sentencing decisions, though the changes are administrative rather than substantive.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to Michigan's civil procedure laws to allow the state and private citizens to sue firearm industry members for creating a public nuisance through the sale, manufacture, or marketing of firearms and related products. The legislation requires these companies to implement reasonable controls to prevent sales to prohibited individuals, stop product theft, and avoid promoting illegal use, while holding them liable for foreseeable harm caused by their products even if third parties acted unlawfully. If a violation occurs, the attorney general or an injured person can seek court orders to stop the conduct, force the company to pay for cleanup, and recover compensatory and punitive damages along with legal fees. The bill explicitly defines key terms such as "firearm industry member" and "firearm-related product" to include items like 3D printers and accessories that enhance a gun's firing capabilities, ensuring the law covers a broad range of items. Additionally, the statute clarifies that proving intent to harm is not necessary to win a case and does not limit existing legal rights under other state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific penalty ranges for attempting to illegally purchase firearms. It directly affects individuals who try to buy guns using false identification or knowingly violate state laws regarding firearm sales. The key provision sets the maximum sentence for this attempted purchase at two years in prison, a specific category within the state's broader list of firearm-related offenses. By adding this explicit sentencing tier, the legislation clarifies how courts should handle cases where a gun purchase attempt fails or is interrupted.