Rep. Alabas Farhat

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan laws regarding guardianship and conservatorship to strengthen the rights of individuals facing incapacity proceedings. It requires guardians ad litem, who represent vulnerable people during these hearings, to personally visit the individual and clearly explain their legal rights, such as the ability to contest the petition or limit a guardian's authority over medical decisions. The legislation also mandates that courts provide free legal counsel to indigent individuals who wish to contest a guardianship or request specific limits on a guardian's powers. Additionally, the bill directs guardians ad litem to explore alternatives to full guardianship, such as limited guardianship or patient advocacy designations, and ensures that compensation for these representatives is only granted if they have fulfilled their new reporting duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to regulate the appointment and duties of professional guardians and conservators. It requires courts to find that no suitable family member or friend is available before appointing a professional and mandates that these professionals submit criminal background checks and post a financial bond. The legislation also establishes strict rules for compensation, requiring professionals to disclose any outside income received for their role, and outlines specific care standards such as maintaining a visitation schedule and ensuring adequate staffing. Additionally, the bill clarifies notification procedures for interested parties and defines the limits on what support staff can do, prohibiting them from making major financial or medical decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's ethics rules to restrict former state legislators and top executive officials from lobbying on behalf of private interests for a set period after leaving office. Specifically, it prohibits former lawmakers from lobbying for one year after their term ends and extends this one-year ban to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. The law allows these individuals to continue lobbying for the state government or their former offices during this time but sets a financial threshold that, if exceeded, requires them to register as lobbyists. Violating these restrictions is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by fines, jail time, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the force-feeding of any bird species in Michigan by requiring that food be delivered only through methods the bird would choose voluntarily. It defines force-feeding as using tubes or devices to force a bird to eat more than it would naturally, and it applies this rule specifically to poultry. Anyone violating this ban faces a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues, which can be pursued by county prosecutors or the state attorney general. The legislation does not impose criminal penalties for this specific violation and amends the state's Animal Industry Act to include this new restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Energy Stability Fund within the state treasury to help cover energy costs for specific groups of people. The fund can receive money from any source, and the state treasurer will manage its investments while the Department of Health and Human Services oversees its use. Money in the fund will not be returned to the general budget at the end of the year and can only be spent to provide energy assistance to low-income seniors, individuals with qualified disabilities, and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Michigan's laws against real estate fraud by increasing penalties for individuals who knowingly create or submit false documents to the register of deeds. It directly affects anyone involved in drafting or filing property records, as well as the officials who maintain those records. Under the new provisions, submitting a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud a property owner is now classified as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, the law allows county prosecutors to receive evidence of such violations directly from the register of deeds. These changes aim to deter deceptive practices in property transactions and provide clearer legal consequences for those who attempt to deceive owners or the public record.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's criminal laws to impose stricter penalties for knowingly creating or submitting false documents to the Register of Deeds. It specifically targets fraudulent activities related to property transfers, including deceptive conveyances and false statements made by contractors regarding building funds. By clarifying the classification and maximum prison sentences for these offenses, the legislation aims to increase accountability for individuals who attempt to deceive public records. The changes apply to various property-related crimes, ensuring that those who intentionally falsify documents face appropriate legal consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retailers in Michigan from selling specific weight loss dietary supplements and diet pills to anyone under the age of 18. To enforce this, the law requires physical stores to check identification before a sale and mandates that online orders include age verification through independent government databases and secure shipping methods that prevent minors from receiving the product. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will create and annually update a list of covered products based on their marketing claims regarding weight loss or appetite control. Retailers found violating these rules could face civil fines of up to $1,000 or other legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May each year in Michigan as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The legislation aims to increase public and medical knowledge about Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological condition that currently has no cure. By officially recognizing this time period, the state hopes to encourage greater understanding of the disease's challenges and support ongoing research efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan to provide suitable seats, such as chairs or stools with back support, to employees working at locations owned or controlled by the employer if it is reasonable for them to sit while performing their duties. If sitting during work is not feasible, the law mandates that employers place these seats near the employee's workspace and prohibits banning their use unless the worker is actively engaged in tasks. Employers who fail to comply face civil fines of $250 for each affected employee for every two-week period of violation, with penalties collected by county prosecutors or the state attorney general. The legislation also allows the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to create specific rules to implement these requirements and clarifies that the law applies to existing contracts that conflict with the new standards once those agreements expire or are renewed.