Rep. Helena Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Michigan to sign and witness important legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney, using real-time video calls instead of meeting in person. To qualify, the video interaction must be recorded and kept for at least three years, and both the signer and witnesses must clearly see and hear each other while the document is being executed. The law also requires that every page of the document be numbered and legible during the call, with a copy sent to witnesses within 72 hours for them to sign and return. Additionally, the bill removes an expiration date that previously limited these electronic signing rules, ensuring they remain in effect indefinitely.

Maddy summaryHB 6106 updates Michigan's insurance code to clarify reporting and inquiry procedures for captive insurance companies. The bill requires these companies to submit annual financial reports, actuarial opinions, and audited statements to the state director within specific timeframes, with strict penalties for non-compliance. It also establishes a tiered annual renewal fee structure based on premium volume and allows the director to request additional interim reports or respond to inquiries regarding the insurer's activities. Additionally, the legislation grants the director authority to exempt certain special-purpose captives from specific rules and clarifies that this chapter takes precedence over conflicting sections of the broader insurance code.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial relief after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. It specifically defines what counts as "new evidence" for compensation claims, including DNA results and expert testimony, while noting that a witness recantation alone is insufficient without additional supporting proof. The legislation also establishes new procedural requirements, such as mandating that prosecutors notify victims of assaultive crimes when a compensation claim is filed and setting strict timelines for legal responses. Additionally, it adjusts the standard of proof needed to win a case, requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate their innocence by clear and convincing evidence rather than just a preponderance of the evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's insurance code to update the requirements for Special Purpose Financial Corporations (SPFCs) seeking a limited certificate of authority to transact insurance or reinsurance. It mandates that these entities hold annual management meetings in the state, maintain a local principal place of business, and file specific documentation regarding their insurance securitization transactions with the department of insurance. Additionally, the legislation requires the attorney general to review organizational documents before they become effective and ensures that directors retain personal liability for breaches of loyalty or intentional misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's rules for how state agencies select architects, engineers, and land surveyors for projects costing $250,000 or more between 2025 and 2032. Under the new requirements, agencies must publish a notice inviting firms to apply, evaluate their qualifications and past performance, and rank the most qualified candidates before negotiating a contract. The process allows for discussions with top firms but mandates moving to the next ranked firm if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the first choice. Agencies can skip these steps only in emergencies or for energy conservation projects, and they must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing project outcomes and innovations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's notary public laws to allow for electronic and remote electronic notarizations using approved communication technology. It directly affects notaries public, individuals needing notarized documents, and financial institutions by defining new terms like "credential analysis" and "identity proofing" to verify signer identities remotely. The legislation requires that remote notarizations occur via platforms providing real-time audio and video contact, recording capabilities, and third-party identity verification services. By adding a new section and modifying existing ones, the bill expands the legal framework for how notaries can perform their duties in a digital environment while maintaining security standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Michigan employers from asking job applicants about their past wages, fringe benefits, credit scores, or credit history. It also bans employers from requiring employees to sign waivers that prevent them from sharing their salary information or from punishing workers who disclose their pay. By removing these restrictions, the legislation aims to prevent discrimination based on compensation history and financial records during the hiring process. The changes directly affect both current and prospective employees by limiting the types of questions employers can ask regarding financial details.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Michigan with 50 or more employees at a single location to post a notice informing workers about laws against wage discrimination based on various protected characteristics. The notice must explain that federal law prohibits unequal pay due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, or disability, while state law extends these protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, and marital status. It also directs employees to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for assistance and provides contact information for anonymous reporting of violations. Employers who fail to display this approved notice may face a civil fine of up to $100.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's wage and benefits law to establish stricter penalties and remedies for employers who fail to follow fair employment practices. It authorizes the Department of Labor to order employers to pay owed wages and benefits, plus an annual 10% penalty on those amounts while a complaint is being processed. The legislation also allows the department to award up to twice the owed amount in exemplary damages for flagrant or repeated violations and to cover legal costs for the affected employee. Additionally, it introduces a tiered fine system for specific violations, where fines increase from $500 for a first offense to $25,000 for subsequent offenses, and permits individuals to sue for at least $10,000 in damages if they prevail in court.

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill creates a new program allowing employers to obtain a "fair paycheck workplace certificate" by demonstrating that they pay employees with different protected characteristics, such as race or gender, within a 5% compensation range. To qualify, businesses must submit detailed payroll records and employee demographic data to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which will then issue a certificate valid for six months initially and renewable annually. The legislation also mandates that employers cannot falsely claim to hold this certification and establishes a public online database where anyone can verify an employer's status. Additionally, the state director is required to set application fees and promulgate specific rules to implement the program's administrative procedures.