Rep. Kara Hope

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Truth in Renting Act to clarify the legal remedies available to tenants when landlords violate specific rental agreement rules. It allows tenants to sue for terminating their lease, stopping future violations, or recovering damages of $250 to $500 if a landlord fails to fix a problem within 20 days after receiving written notice. The law also permits immediate legal action without prior notice if a landlord has previously been found guilty of the same violation or knowingly ignored the rule. Additionally, the bill ensures that winning tenants can recover court costs and attorney fees while preventing landlords from facing multiple penalties for the same specific clause in their contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to establish specific deadlines for landlords to begin repairs after receiving written notice of defective conditions. It requires landlords to start fixing life-threatening or health-hazardous issues, such as lack of heat, water, electricity, or mold, within 24 hours, while allowing seven days for appliance repairs and ten days for other problems. The legislation also clarifies that landlords must keep rental properties in reasonable repair and comply with health and safety laws, except when damage is caused by the tenant's intentional or irresponsible actions. Tenants can deliver these notices via email, personal delivery, electronic portals, or text messages, provided the method ensures the landlord actually receives the information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in Michigan to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. The law specifically mandates that these plans include coverage for therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin. It applies to all health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, as well as those issued outside the state for Michigan residents. The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections for tenants in Michigan who are victims of violence by allowing them to terminate their rental leases early without penalty under specific circumstances. It modifies existing state laws to require landlords to accept such early lease terminations and to return security deposits promptly when these victims exercise their right to leave. The legislation directly affects landlords and tenants by clarifying the notice requirements and procedures needed to end a lease agreement early due to violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's civil procedure laws to strengthen penalties for landlords who unlawfully evict tenants or interfere with their right to occupy a property. It allows tenants to recover three times their actual damages, up to $2,000 or $200 per day, whichever is greater, and permits courts to award additional punitive damages in cases involving violations of court orders, prolonged interference, or repeated misconduct. The legislation also establishes specific exceptions where landlords may legally enter premises, such as when acting under a court order, making necessary repairs, or dealing with deceased tenants after following strict notification and waiting periods. Furthermore, the bill requires that any civil fines imposed for egregious conduct be deposited into the state housing fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to modernize how landlords and tenants communicate regarding security deposits and property damage. It requires landlords to provide contact information for sending notices via email, text messages, or other digital methods, while also mandating that tenants notify landlords of their forwarding addresses within four days of moving out. The legislation establishes specific timelines for landlords to send itemized damage claims and for tenants to respond, allowing these communications to occur through various channels including text messages and email. If a landlord fails to send a damage notice within the required timeframe, the bill treats this as an agreement that no damages are owed, requiring the full security deposit to be returned immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Mental Health Code to officially include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists in the legal definition of mental health professionals. By amending multiple sections of the existing law, the legislation allows these advanced practice providers to perform certain examinations and deliver services that were previously restricted to other types of licensed clinicians. The change directly affects mental health service providers, patients, and the regulatory framework governing who can deliver care under the state's mental health system.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Michigan's Supreme Court to analyze trial court costs and create a new funding system for local courts. It requires the court to calculate the operational expenses of each trial court and develop a standardized fee schedule for individuals based on their specific case type, rather than the time it takes to resolve them. The legislation also mandates the creation of a debt collection system for unpaid court fees and asks the court to propose legislative changes to improve how trial courts are funded. Local governments and various state departments will be involved in the analysis to determine how much existing funding must be maintained while identifying any additional financial needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide more detailed annual reports on its economic development activities to state officials and the public. The key provision mandates that these reports include specific data on every project, such as the number of jobs created or retained, the average salaries of those positions, and the total amount of financial assistance given. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements to immediately notify legislative leaders if a recipient of significant funding files for bankruptcy and to include specific financial metrics for recent investment programs. These changes aim to increase transparency by ensuring the public can see exactly how state funds are used and what results they produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's drug treatment court rules to clarify that violent offenders are generally ineligible for admission unless specific exceptions are met. Under the new provisions, a judge and prosecutor must consult with any known victims before allowing a violent offender to enter the program, and individuals currently charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or certain sexual offenses are automatically excluded. The legislation also outlines detailed requirements for pre-admission screening, which must include a review of criminal history, an assessment of potential danger to the community, and a clinical evaluation of substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill ensures that information gathered during this screening process remains confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.