Sen. Rosemary Bayer

Maddy summarySB 354 amends Michigan's 1971 Home Solicitation Sales Act by removing telephone solicitation regulations that were previously part of the law. It repeals sections MCL 445.111a through 445.111e (which governed telephone solicitations) and updates the title and key sections (MCL 445.111 and 445.113) to reflect this change. This bill directly affects businesses that make phone solicitations by eliminating specific regulatory requirements they previously had to follow. The key mechanism is the repeal of the telephone solicitation provisions, streamlining the law to focus only on home solicitation rules. The bill does not create new requirements but removes existing telephone solicitation rules from the statute.

Maddy summarySB 355 repeals a 1913 Michigan law (MCL 484.125) that regulated telephone companies as public utilities and set rules for their operations. The bill removes outdated requirements about telephone company consolidation, equipment use, and Public Service Commission oversight. This directly affects telephone companies and state regulators by eliminating historical regulatory provisions. The repeal is conditional on another bill (SB 351) being enacted, but does not create new rules or impact current services.

Maddy summarySB 353 amends Michigan's Consumer Protection Act to strengthen rules against deceptive telephone solicitations. It specifically requires businesses to clearly disclose environmental marketing claims (like "recycled" or "biodegradable") and to provide full written terms for prizes offered in exchange for attending sales presentations. The bill directly affects businesses making phone calls to consumers, mandating transparency to prevent misleading claims about product origins, environmental benefits, or prize conditions. These changes update existing law to address modern deceptive practices in phone-based sales.

Maddy summarySB 352 removes a $150 filing fee requirement for cases where the Attorney General enforces the Telephone Solicitation Act (specifically actions under section 33 of that law). This change directly affects the Attorney General’s office when pursuing violations of Michigan’s telephone solicitation rules. The bill amends Michigan’s court fee statute (MCL 600.2529) to exclude these enforcement actions from standard civil filing fees. As a result, the Attorney General would no longer need to pay this $150 fee when initiating such cases in court.

Maddy summarySB 351 would create a new law governing telephone marketing calls and solicitations. It has been introduced by Senator Mary Cavanagh and referred to the Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee. The bill's specific provisions (such as required disclosures, opt-out mechanisms, or enforcement details) are not described in the provided context. As a procedural bill establishing a new regulatory framework, it directly affects businesses making phone solicitations and consumers receiving such calls. Details about its concrete policy changes remain unavailable based on the current information.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 92) urges the U.S. Congress to restore oversight mechanisms for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It directly addresses federal immigration enforcement agencies and aims to improve accountability following recent incidents involving ICE officers and reduced oversight capacity. The resolution specifically calls for reinstating agencies like the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which were weakened under the Trump Administration, leading to unaddressed complaints about officer conduct. It emphasizes that restoring these oversight tools is necessary to ensure immigration enforcement follows laws, respects civil rights, and maintains community trust. As a resolution, it does not create new law but expresses the Michigan Senate's position to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16w) to address cases involving minors exploited in prostitution. It specifically modifies how individuals aged 16 or younger are treated when found in a house of prostitution, shifting the focus from criminalization to victim support. The key change directs courts to prioritize rehabilitation and services for these minors rather than imposing standard criminal penalties. This policy change directly affects minors under 16 who are victims of exploitation, ensuring their cases are handled through a victim-centered approach.

Maddy summarySB 520 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for certain prostitution-related offenses. It raises the maximum penalty for basic violations (under sections 462b-462d) from 10 years to 20 years in prison and from $10,000 to $20,000 in fines. The bill specifically targets individuals who violate these sections, including those operating or facilitating commercial sex, and updates penalties for more severe outcomes like bodily injury or serious harm. These changes apply to anyone convicted under the amended sections of the law. The bill does not alter the scope of prohibited conduct, only the severity of potential punishments.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Michigan. It formally recognizes the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, advocacy groups, and service providers working to combat human trafficking and support survivors, while emphasizing the importance of public awareness in identifying and preventing trafficking. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to advance prevention awareness.

Maddy summarySB 764, the "Open Caption Accessibility Act," requires movie theaters with 8 or more screens to provide open captioning for at least two weekly showings of each film that plays five or more times per week (Friday-Thursday). Open captioning means captions displayed on screen that cannot be turned off, directly benefiting deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers. Theaters must advertise captioned showings similarly to other screenings, post public notices about requesting captioned showings, and maintain records for the Attorney General’s office. This law applies to all qualifying theaters operating in Michigan, with enforcement through the Department of Attorney General.