Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's laws regarding embezzlement from vulnerable adults and their estates by clarifying that fraud committed while a person is alive and continued after their death counts as a single continuous offense. It establishes specific penalties based on the value of the stolen property, ranging from misdemeanors for amounts under $1,000 to felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison for amounts exceeding $100,000. The legislation also allows courts to combine the value of multiple thefts occurring within a 12-month period or against a single individual to determine the appropriate charge severity. Additionally, the bill requires prosecutors to explicitly list prior convictions when seeking enhanced sentences and protects financial institutions and their employees from liability when acting within the normal course of business.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows counties or groups of counties in Michigan to establish multidisciplinary teams dedicated to protecting vulnerable adults, defined as individuals over 18 who require supervision due to age, disability, or illness. These teams would be composed of representatives from various sectors, including law enforcement, adult protective services, healthcare providers, legal aid, and finance experts, to coordinate efforts against abuse and neglect. The legislation grants these teams the authority to share confidential information among themselves and specific government agencies while exempting their records and meetings from public disclosure laws. Ultimately, the teams aim to prevent exploitation, coordinate care services, and develop programs to detect and stop the abuse of vulnerable adults in the community.
Maddy summarySB 1008 updates Michigan's vehicle code to clarify rules regarding the transfer of vehicle titles and registration plates. The bill primarily affects vehicle owners, dealers, and the Secretary of State's office by establishing specific procedures for moving titles between vehicles and individuals. Key provisions include requiring the physical endorsement of paper titles for most transactions, setting timelines for transferring ownership to avoid penalties, and defining when a title transfer becomes legally effective. Additionally, the bill maintains restrictions on transferring vehicles with suspended licenses or those subject to forfeiture, while explicitly excluding electronically issued titles from certain physical endorsement requirements. These changes aim to streamline the vehicle registration process and ensure clear documentation during ownership transfers.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal tool called an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order for Michigan residents aged 60 or older, as well as for vulnerable adults and those with developmental disabilities. The order allows courts to stop specific harmful behaviors, such as entering a person's home, threatening violence, abusing their pets, or financially exploiting their assets. It also includes provisions to transfer related cases to probate courts if the person is under guardianship and requires fiduciaries to notify the court if such an order is issued against them.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's definition of racketeering to explicitly include embezzlement committed against vulnerable adults. By adding this specific crime to the list of offenses that constitute racketeering, the legislation ensures that individuals who steal from elderly or disabled persons can be prosecuted under broader organized crime statutes. The change directly affects prosecutors and defendants by expanding the legal tools available to address financial exploitation of those who cannot protect themselves. No new penalties are created; rather, the bill clarifies that this type of theft falls under the existing framework for serious, repeated criminal activity.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Palliative Care Advisory Task Force within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to end-of-life care. The 13-member group, appointed by the governor with Senate approval, includes representatives from hospices, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients or their families. The task force is charged with defining palliative care, conducting research, identifying available services, and developing strategies to educate the public. It must meet at least quarterly and submit an annual report by January 1, 2027, detailing current services and gaps in care across the state. Members serve four-year terms without pay but can be reimbursed for necessary expenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the existing law to officially rename the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to the Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsperson. It directly affects the Michigan Department of Corrections by granting the ombudsperson expanded powers to investigate complaints from prisoners, their families, legislators, and advocates regarding administrative actions or facility issues. Key provisions allow the ombudsperson to access prisoner medical and mental health records, hire qualified experts, and use photographic equipment during investigations. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a standardized complaint form available both online and in correctional facility libraries to streamline how grievances are filed.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Michigan Department of Education to establish a statewide behavioral threat assessment and management program for all public and nonpublic schools. The program requires the department to build a secure, cloud-based system that gathers data from various sources, such as law enforcement and mental health records, to identify and assess potential threats to school safety. Schools must use approved models to categorize student risk levels, create intervention plans, and manage case information while adhering to strict security protocols that limit access to authorized personnel only. Additionally, the legislation mandates regular training for staff, quarterly audits of system access, and annual reporting to state officials on the program's activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's landlord-tenant laws to allow security deposits to be returned via electronic transfer instead of only by check or money order. It requires landlords to mail tenants an itemized list of claimed damages within 30 days of moving out, but permits them to send the refund directly to a bank account, mobile payment app, or internet payment service if they choose. If a landlord uses this electronic method, they must deposit the funds into the tenant's account within 10 days of mailing the notice. The bill also mandates that the damage notice include a specific, bolded statement informing tenants they must respond within seven days or forfeit the claimed amount.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Open Meetings Act to clarify and expand the specific situations in which public bodies can hold closed sessions. It directly affects government agencies, school districts, and other public organizations by defining new grounds for meeting privately, such as discussing security threats to students, interviewing job candidates, or negotiating collective bargaining agreements. The legislation also adds protections for higher education institutions by allowing private discussions during the search for a university president, provided a diverse search committee is used and the final vote remains public. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits the independent citizens redistricting commission from meeting in closed sessions for any reason. Overall, the changes aim to balance the need for confidentiality in sensitive matters with the public's right to know how government decisions are made.