Rep. John Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Consumer Financial Services Act to revise internal references regarding money transmission services within the state's financial licensing laws. It directly affects financial institutions and businesses seeking licenses to operate in Michigan by clarifying how they must define and report their financial activities. The legislation amends specific sections of the act to ensure that terms like "financial licensing acts" and "money transmission" accurately reflect current laws, including the Money Transmission Modernization Act. By correcting these cross-references, the bill aims to maintain consistency and clarity in the regulations governing licensed money transmitters and other financial service providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of individuals in Michigan to have their criminal convictions set aside, specifically adding a provision for people who were convicted of crimes while being victims of human trafficking. Under the new rules, a person who was a victim of human trafficking can apply to clear any conviction they received as a direct result of that trafficking, provided they still meet the general limits on the number of offenses that can be expunged. The legislation also clarifies how certain deferred and dismissed charges are counted toward these limits and defines specific types of crimes, such as assaultive offenses and domestic violence, that are subject to stricter restrictions. By amending existing state law, the bill allows eligible individuals to petition the court for relief without changing the fundamental eligibility criteria for other applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 5847 amends Michigan's Fourth Class City Act to update the language regarding a city's power to regulate prostitution and commercial sexual activity. The bill replaces the term "prostitution" with "commercial sexual activity" in the list of general powers granted to city councils to prevent vice and immorality. This change allows local governments in fourth-class cities to pass ordinances targeting these activities using more modern terminology. The legislation does not create new crimes or penalties but clarifies the scope of existing municipal authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires townships in Michigan to adopt a written conflict of interest policy for their officials. Under the new rules, board members must publicly announce and record the factual reasons for any abstentions from voting due to conflicts, including situations where a member seeks to fill a vacancy. The legislation also mandates that members vote on all questions unless excused by unanimous consent and ensures that official records clearly reflect these voting procedures. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in township governance by formalizing how officials handle potential conflicts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's health care laws to create a clear process for designating a surrogate to make medical decisions for adults or emancipated minors who cannot do so themselves. It establishes a specific priority list for potential surrogates, starting with out-of-state designations, followed by spouses, adult children, parents, and siblings, while excluding individuals subject to protective orders or pending abuse charges. The legislation requires that a surrogate's authority ends when the patient regains decision-making capacity and mandates that the surrogate sign an acceptance form confirming they will act in the patient's best interest without receiving payment. Additionally, the bill allows patients to disqualify specific individuals from serving as surrogates and ensures that surrogates are informed of the patient's known treatment preferences.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Youth Rehabilitation Services Act to require DNA samples from minors under state supervision who are found responsible for specific crimes involving prostitution, child enticement, or indecent exposure. Under the new rules, youth agencies must collect these samples without the minor's consent or a prior court order, and the collected data can only be shared with law enforcement or in specific legal and research contexts. The legislation also mandates a $60 fee for these minors to cover the costs of DNA profiling and retention, unless the state already possesses their genetic information from a previous case.

Maddy summaryHB 5735 modifies Michigan's high school graduation requirements by updating the specific credits students must earn to receive a diploma. The bill mandates that graduates complete four math credits, three social science credits, and one credit in health, physical education, or arts, while also requiring two credits in a language other than English or equivalent coursework. Additionally, it introduces a new requirement for students entering eighth grade in 2023 to complete a half-credit personal finance course that can count toward math, arts, or language requirements. These changes apply to all public school districts and public school academies in the state, ensuring a standardized curriculum for graduation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's human trafficking laws to allow courts to accept expert testimony from witnesses with specialized knowledge in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services. These experts can explain how trafficking victims often behave differently than expected and help juries understand the complex dynamics of trafficking cases. While the law already permits victim testimony without corroboration, this change specifically enables qualified experts to offer opinions on victim responses and behaviors during trials. However, the bill explicitly prohibits these experts from giving opinions on the credibility of other witnesses, including the victim, to maintain a clear distinction between behavioral analysis and character judgment. Both the prosecution and defense are permitted to call such experts to testify in human trafficking prosecutions.

Maddy summaryHB 6100 updates the definitions for various types of captive insurance companies within Michigan's insurance code. The bill clarifies terms such as "affiliated company," "pure captive insurance company," and "sponsored captive insurance company" to ensure consistent understanding of corporate structures and relationships. These revised definitions apply to insurance regulators, captive insurance providers, and the businesses that utilize these entities to manage their own risks. By standardizing these legal descriptions, the legislation aims to improve clarity and consistency in how insurance regulations are applied and interpreted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's insurance code to update the requirements for captive insurance companies seeking a limited certificate of authority to operate in the state. It clarifies the specific types of risks these companies can insure based on their category, such as pure or association captives, while explicitly excluding certain coverages like first-dollar workers' compensation and personal automobile insurance. The legislation also outlines the detailed information and documentation that applicants must submit to the commissioner and attorney general, including organizational documents, financial evidence, and biographical affidavits for officers. Additionally, the bill permits organizational documents to include provisions limiting director liability for monetary damages, provided that liability for breaches of loyalty, intentional misconduct, or improper personal benefits remains intact.