Rep. John Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryHB 5022 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update terminology related to prostitution in nuisance laws. It replaces the terms "prostitute" and "prostitution" with the phrase "persons who provide or offer to provide commercial sexual activity" in Section 3801, which defines properties as nuisances when used for such activities. This change directly affects property owners, landlords, or managers of buildings, vehicles, or other spaces used for commercial sexual activity, as they could face nuisance charges under the updated law. The bill is contingent on the passage of companion bill HB 5016 and does not alter the underlying legal standards for nuisance designation.

Maddy summaryHB 5028 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to update legal references related to prostitution offenses. It replaces terms like "prostitute" with more neutral language in sentencing calculations under MCL 777.16w. This change affects judges and courts when determining penalties for individuals convicted of prostitution-related crimes. The bill modifies how these offenses are described in legal guidelines but does not alter the actual penalties for the crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 5023 amends Michigan's child care licensing law (1973 PA 116) to strengthen background checks for individuals seeking child care licenses, staff positions, or household membership in child care settings. It prohibits licensing for applicants with certain criminal convictions, including child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, drug offenses (with 7-year waiting periods), and violent misdemeanors (with 5-year waiting periods). The bill also adds disqualification for convictions related to human trafficking, prostitution-related activities, or firearm use in crimes. This directly affects individuals applying for child care roles or operating child care facilities. The bill requires criminal history checks under Section 5n and specifies disqualifying offenses and waiting periods, but does not address prostitution laws directly despite the title's reference.

Maddy summaryHB 5014 modifies Michigan's public health code to require courts to order confidential STI and HIV testing for individuals arrested or convicted of prostitution, commercial sexual activity, or related offenses (such as MCL 750.448-455). The bill mandates that courts direct testing for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, and HIV, with results reported to defendants and health departments. Courts must also order voluntary counseling about prevention, treatment, and protective measures for these conditions. This applies to all cases involving specified sex-related offenses under Michigan law, with testing conducted by licensed health providers.

Maddy summaryHB 5016 updates Michigan's penal code by replacing outdated terms like "prostitute" and "prostitution" with modern, less stigmatizing language such as "person engaged in commercial sexual activity." It specifically amends Section 167 to remove "common prostitute" from the definition of a disorderly person, changing the language to focus on conduct rather than labeling individuals. This bill directly affects how the law refers to and potentially prosecutes individuals involved in commercial sexual activity under current statutes. The changes aim to align terminology with contemporary legal standards without altering the underlying criminal penalties for related offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 4718 requires Michigan insurance companies to file reports with the state about suspected insurance fraud. This directly affects all licensed insurance companies operating in Michigan, mandating them to submit specific fraud reports to the state regulator. The key provision adds Section 4506 to the insurance code, creating a new reporting obligation for insurers. The bill does not change fraud penalties or definitions but establishes a formal process for reporting suspected fraud cases. This is a procedural policy change focused on improving fraud tracking, not on altering consumer protections or insurance rates.

Maddy summaryHB 4716 increases criminal penalties for insurance fraud in Michigan based on the amount of fraudulent claims or number of claims involved. It raises maximum prison terms from 4 years to 20 years and fines up to $50,000, with higher penalties for larger frauds (e.g., $100,000+ claims or 100+ claims) or repeat offenses. The law requires courts to order restitution to victims and allows aggregating claims made within any 12-month period to determine penalty levels. This directly affects individuals committing fraud, as well as insurers or practitioners found responsible for fraudulent acts under Michigan law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's Health Care False Claim Act to expand the definition of "health care insurer" to include automobile insurers providing personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage pays for medical expenses after car accidents, and this change brings auto insurers into the same legal framework as health insurers for false claim enforcement. Previously, the law applied only to health insurers and self-insured entities, but now false claims related to PIP benefits will be subject to the same standards. This directly affects auto insurance companies operating in Michigan that offer PIP coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 4714 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for fraudulent insurance acts by amending Section 15a of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.15a). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of insurance fraud by establishing clearer sentencing standards for these offenses. It modifies existing sentencing structures to provide more defined parameters for judges when determining penalties in fraud cases involving insurance. The changes aim to standardize penalties for this specific crime category within Michigan's criminal justice system. The bill passed the Michigan House on September 16, 2025, with strong support.

Maddy summaryHB 4717 amends Michigan's criminal code by adding insurance fraud to the legal definition of racketeering under MCL 750.159g. This change directly affects cases involving insurance fraud, making it a specific type of racketeering offense rather than a separate crime. The key provision updates the statute to explicitly include insurance fraud within the broader racketeering definition used for prosecution. As a substantive policy change, this alters how such fraud cases are categorized and prosecuted under state law.