Rep. Felicia Brabec

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 amends Michigan law to clarify when law enforcement must collect and forward biometric data, such as fingerprints, following an arrest. It requires agencies to gather this information for specific serious offenses, including felonies and certain misdemeanors, and mandates that the data be sent to the state police within 72 hours. The legislation also outlines procedures for destroying biometric data if a person is released without charges or if an arrest record is expunged, ensuring that digital records are removed when appropriate. Additionally, the bill includes a provision to remove references to sodomy from a 1925 statute regarding criminal history records.

Maddy summaryHB 4433 removes sodomy between consenting adults from the list of crimes that allow judges to close preliminary court hearings to the public. This change means that cases involving consensual adult sodomy will no longer be eligible for closed-door proceedings, ensuring they remain open to public observation like other criminal cases. The bill applies specifically to the state's Code of Criminal Procedure and affects how magistrates handle pre-trial hearings for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryHB 4431 removes the state law that criminalizes consensual sodomy between adults. By repealing specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code, the bill eliminates the felony charges and potential prison sentences currently available for this act. The legislation does not address bestiality, which remains a separate crime under the law. This change directly affects individuals who engage in private sexual conduct between consenting adults.

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 summaryHB 6185 amends Michigan's firearm laws to require federally licensed dealers to sell guns with a trigger lock or a secure storage container, unless the buyer provides their own safety device or the firearm is an antique. The bill also mandates that dealers provide free safety brochures and warning notices to purchasers and retain records of these transactions for six years. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that firearm manufacturers and producers are generally immune from civil lawsuits by local governments, except in cases involving specific contract breaches or product defects that cause injury to government employees or property. This provision aims to limit liability for manufacturers while reserving the right for the state attorney general to bring certain legal actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code to require courts to inform people considering guardianship about alternatives to full guardianship, such as limited guardianship, conservatorship, and supported decision-making. Supported decision-making is defined as a process where individuals with incapacities work with trusted friends, family, or professionals to understand their options and make their own decisions. The legislation also mandates that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the individual in incapacity hearings if they do not have their own legal counsel. These changes aim to ensure that individuals facing potential guardianship are fully informed about less restrictive options before a court order is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates two specific stretches of Michigan highways as memorial roads to honor fallen law enforcement officers. It names a section of Interstate 75 in Saginaw County the "Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway" and a portion of M-53 in Macomb County the "Officer Leroy Imus Memorial Highway." The legislation also requires that signs for the M-53 memorial be placed at two specific intersections to mark the location. Additionally, the bill removes an existing section from the state's memorial highway act that is no longer needed for this designation.