Maddy summaryHB 4992 updates Michigan's landlord-tenant law to clarify communication requirements for security deposits. It requires tenants to provide updated contact information (mailing address, email, or phone) within 4 days after moving out, and landlords must send an itemized damage notice with repair costs within 15 days of move-out. Landlords must use methods tenants previously agreed to (like email or text) to send these notices, and tenants must respond within 7 days to dispute charges - failure to respond forfeits the right to dispute. If landlords miss the 15-day deadline, they must immediately refund the full security deposit. This directly affects all Michigan landlords and tenants in rental agreements involving security deposits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 5005 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify when workers who leave jobs without notice may still qualify for benefits. It adds a new exception (subsection (iv)) allowing domestic violence victims to claim benefits without disqualification, provided they meet requirements under Section 29a. The bill also reinforces that workers absent for 3+ consecutive days without contacting their employer are presumed to have left voluntarily - unless they qualify for one of the specified exceptions. This change directly affects workers who leave employment due to domestic violence or other qualifying circumstances, ensuring they can access benefits without penalizing their former employers financially.
Maddy summaryHB 4995 prohibits Michigan landlords from using a prospective tenant's credit score as the sole factor in lease decisions. The bill allows landlords to accept "reusable screening reports" (consumer reports prepared within 45 days by the tenant at their own expense) without charging an application fee, and requires landlords to disclose screening criteria in writing before accepting an application. Landlords who decline to accept such reports may charge a $25 or less fee only if they provide the required written disclosures to applicants. This law directly affects landlords and prospective tenants in Michigan's rental housing market by changing tenant screening practices and reducing fees for applicants who provide recent credit reports.
Maddy summaryHB 5007 amends Michigan's Employment Security Act to update how "employment" is defined for unemployment benefits eligibility. It changes the standard for classifying workers as employees (requiring benefits coverage) versus independent contractors, effective January 1, 2026. Under the new rule, most workers must be classified as employees unless they meet all three strict criteria: no employer control, services outside the employer's usual business, and the worker operating as an independent business. This directly affects employers and workers in Michigan who currently classify individuals as independent contractors, particularly in gig economy and service roles. The bill maintains current rules (using the IRS 20-factor test) until 2026, with specific exceptions for certain visa holders and federally certified employers.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords to place tenant rent payments into an escrow account when a safety certificate is withheld due to unresolved housing violations. It directly affects tenants in rental properties with safety hazards and landlords who fail to correct violations after being notified. The key provision suspends rent payments during the certificate withholding period, redirecting those funds to cover necessary repairs instead of going to the landlord. Tenants are not required to pay rent during this time unless the safety issue was caused by the tenant themselves. The escrow funds must be used for repairs, and any unused portion is returned to the tenant if they move out before repairs are completed.
Maddy summaryHB 4991 increases damages for unlawful evictions to 3 times actual losses or $200-$2,000 per day (whichever is greater). It defines unlawful eviction as actions like changing locks without keys, cutting essential utilities (heat/water/electric), or using force to remove tenants. Landlords may legally evict only with court orders, for necessary repairs, or after following specific steps if a tenant dies (e.g., notifying next of kin and waiting 10 days). For severe violations, courts can add fines up to 10% of damages, deposited into Michigan’s housing fund. The bill applies directly to tenants and landlords in residential housing disputes.
Maddy summaryHB 5021 requires local labor organizations representing casino gaming employees in Michigan to register biennially with the Gaming Control Board and provide detailed personal information about designated individuals, including home addresses, Social Security numbers, criminal history (even expunged convictions), fingerprints, and employment details. The bill establishes disqualification grounds for union officers or employees if they have certain criminal convictions (including gambling, theft, fraud, or prostitution-related offenses), made false statements, or engage in ongoing criminal activity for economic gain. Disqualification for prostitution charges specifically applies only if the individual has an ongoing pattern of such behavior, not isolated incidents. This bill directly affects union leaders in Michigan's casino industry by creating new transparency requirements and eligibility standards for their roles.
Maddy summaryHB 4990 modifies Michigan's eviction laws to strengthen tenant protections. It adds new defenses against retaliatory evictions (e.g., for tenants reporting safety violations or joining tenant groups) and allows courts to deduct rent owed when landlords breach leases or safety codes (Sec. 5720, 5741). The bill also prohibits landlords from recovering late fees if they breached the lease and limits attorney fees/costs for landlords who fail to meet legal obligations (Sec. 5759). These changes directly affect tenants facing eviction and landlords initiating eviction proceedings. The bill aims to ensure evictions are not used as punishment for lawful tenant actions.
Maddy summaryHB 5015 requires youth under a Michigan youth agency's care (public wards) who have been found responsible for specific crimes - including prostitution-related offenses (like MCL 750.451, 750.454, or 750.462) - to provide DNA samples and pay a $60 fee. The youth agency must collect these samples without the youth's consent or a court order, and the DNA profiles can only be used for law enforcement, court proceedings, or anonymized research. The fee covers costs for DNA profiling under Michigan's existing system, and youth already having a DNA sample from law enforcement is exempt. This bill directly affects minors in youth rehabilitation programs convicted of listed crimes.
Maddy summaryHB 5003 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to make it easier for low-income recipients to avoid repaying wrongly paid benefits. It increases the income threshold for hardship waivers from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, meaning more individuals with modest household incomes qualify for relief. The bill also maintains existing waiver conditions for cases involving employer errors or agency clerical mistakes, but explicitly excludes intentional fraud. This change directly affects Michigan unemployment benefit recipients who overpaid due to administrative errors or low income, reducing their financial burden.