Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6306 expands the state's consumer protection laws by introducing higher civil fines for businesses that target elderly individuals or vulnerable adults with deceptive practices. The bill defines an elder person as someone aged 80 or older and a vulnerable adult as an individual requiring supervision due to age, disability, or mental illness, subjecting violators to penalties of up to $50,000 per violation if the conduct is persistent and knowing. Additionally, the legislation creates a revolving enforcement and education fund in the state treasury, which will be financed by attorney fees, costs, and unclaimed damages recovered from consumer protection and antitrust cases. This fund will support the Department of Attorney General's efforts to enforce these laws and educate the public on consumer rights.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6318 amends the state election law to explicitly prohibit denying or abridging any citizen's right to vote based on their sex. The bill adds a new section, 492c, to the Michigan Election Code to establish this specific protection. This provision directly affects all voters in the state by ensuring that gender cannot be used as a basis for restricting voting access.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates euchre as the official game of the state of Michigan. It creates a new act to formally establish this title in state law. The legislation does not impose any regulations or restrictions on how the game is played, but rather serves as a symbolic designation for the state.
Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6307 grants the state attorney general and local prosecuting attorneys the authority to issue written investigative demands to individuals suspected of violating consumer protection laws. These demands can require a person to appear for an oath-bound examination, answer written questions, or produce specific documents and physical objects relevant to the investigation. The bill establishes that recipients have the right to petition a circuit court in Ingham County for a protective order to extend deadlines, modify requirements, or dismiss the demand entirely. If a person fails to comply with a valid demand without securing such an order, they may face civil fines of up to $10,000 and potential court orders compelling compliance or preventing the destruction of evidence.
Maddy summaryMichigan House Bill 6305 amends the state's consumer protection laws to clarify which business practices are exempt from the act and establishes that its provisions should be interpreted broadly to support its purpose. The bill specifies that the law does not apply to actions expressly authorized by state or federal regulators, nor to advertisements published by media outlets unless the publisher knew the content was deceptive or had a direct financial interest in the sale. It further limits consumer lawsuits regarding unfair practices in the banking, insurance, and motor carrier sectors, noting that these industries are already regulated by specific statutes. Finally, the legislation places the burden of proof on any business claiming an exemption from consumer protection rules.
Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill amends the state's vehicle code to clarify that traffic violations designated as civil infractions cannot be treated as lesser included offenses of criminal charges. It establishes specific fine ranges for various driving and vehicle equipment violations, including a new provision that requires courts to waive fines and costs if a driver cited for an illegible registration plate provides proof of having obtained and installed a compliant plate before their court date. The legislation also mandates a $40 justice system assessment for most civil infractions and allows judges to order additional educational or rehabilitation programs alongside monetary penalties.
Maddy summaryHB 4103 adds a new section to Michigan's health occupations law to implement an occupational therapy licensure compact. This bill allows occupational therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses, and vice versa for therapists from other compact states. It directly affects occupational therapists seeking to work across state lines, reducing barriers to practice. The compact mechanism establishes standardized licensing requirements among participating states, streamlining the process for therapists to provide services in multiple jurisdictions.
Maddy summaryHB 4104 updates Michigan's occupational therapy licensing rules to join a multi-state licensure compact. This would allow occupational therapists licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill modifies existing law to align with the compact's standards and adds new sections for implementation. It directly affects occupational therapists seeking to work across state lines within the compact.
Maddy summaryHB 5249 creates a new "adaptive care license" for ambulance operations currently licensed only for basic life support (BLS). It allows these operations to gradually upgrade to provide limited advanced life support (ALS) or advanced life support (ALS) services, provided they demonstrate staffing and equipment readiness for higher care levels by January 1, 2025. The license requires annual documentation of progress toward this upgrade, including training and equipment plans, and must be renewed annually alongside the operation's regular license. This applies specifically to ambulance services owned or contracted by local governments that previously provided only BLS for emergency response.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal immigration and border security employees from obtaining Michigan law enforcement licenses between September 1, 2025, and January 20, 2029. It also mandates that all individuals seeking or holding specific law enforcement licenses complete active violence response training focused on coordinated tactical responses to mass casualty incidents. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards is tasked with creating the rules to define these training requirements.