Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's housing law to allow tenants to withhold rent and place it into an escrow account when a landlord fails to fix safety or health hazards. Under the new provisions, if a certificate of compliance is withheld, not issued, or suspended due to such hazards, tenants are no longer required to pay rent during that period, provided the owner has had a reasonable time to apply for a temporary certificate and the issues were not caused by the tenant. The withheld funds must be held by the enforcing agency to cover the cost of necessary repairs, and landlords cannot sue for rent, late fees, or eviction while the certificate remains suspended or unissued. Essentially, the measure creates a financial safety net for tenants facing uninhabitable conditions while ensuring the money is available to fix the problems.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's eviction laws to strengthen protections for tenants facing retaliatory evictions and to limit the financial penalties landlords can impose. It prohibits courts from issuing eviction orders if a landlord terminates a lease primarily to punish a tenant for exercising legal rights, such as reporting safety violations or joining a tenant organization. Additionally, the bill requires judges to deduct rent owed due to landlord breaches from any eviction judgment and bars landlords from collecting late fees in these cases. Finally, it adjusts the maximum fees courts can award to tenants for legal costs during eviction proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords participating in Michigan's rent vendoring program to certify that their rental units are safe, habitable, and free of conditions that could spread disease. It mandates that the state housing department remove landlords from the program if they have unresolved health or safety violations or if they fail to pay property taxes. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from evicting tenants solely because the department terminated their participation in the program due to these issues, and it requires the department to make a specific tenant rights form available on its website.

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 resolution designates the week of May 20 to 27, 2024, as Michigan Beach Safety Week to highlight safety measures for visitors to the state's lakes and beaches. The bill serves as a public awareness campaign encouraging people to follow specific safety guidelines, such as learning to swim, avoiding alcohol near water, and heeding warning signs. By formally declaring this week, the legislature aims to remind residents and tourists about potential aquatic hazards like rip currents before the summer season begins. The measure does not create new laws or funding but rather promotes existing safety practices through an official state proclamation.