Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's existing laws on governmental immunity to clarify when state agencies and their employees can be held liable for criminal sexual conduct. It establishes that officials and volunteers are generally protected from lawsuits for injuries or property damage caused while performing their duties, unless their actions involve gross negligence or specific exceptions like providing medical care. The legislation defines "gross negligence" as reckless behavior showing a substantial lack of concern for safety and creates specific rules for immunity regarding judges, legislators, and tactical operations. By adding a new section to the state tort liability act, the bill aims to provide clearer legal standards for holding public servants accountable in cases involving sexual misconduct while maintaining protections for routine government functions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySenate Bill 607 amends Michigan's Administrative Procedures Act to clarify what counts as a formal "rule" by explicitly excluding cleanup criteria and target detection limits set by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. This change ensures that specific environmental standards used to determine when a site is clean enough for reuse are not subject to the same rulemaking procedures as other agency regulations. The bill directly affects the state environmental agency by removing these technical environmental thresholds from the definition of a rule, while leaving the rest of the act's definitions largely unchanged.
Maddy summarySB 1188 modifies the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving criminal sexual conduct in Michigan, extending the time a victim has to file a claim for damages. Under the bill, victims have 10 years from the date of the incident to bring an action, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or resulted in a conviction. This change applies to conduct prohibited under specific sections of the Michigan Penal Code and removes previous requirements for a prior criminal adjudication. The legislation directly affects survivors of sexual assault by providing a longer window to seek civil compensation for injuries sustained.
Maddy summarySB 667 updates Michigan's Business Corporation Act to formally recognize and regulate benefit corporations, which are companies legally required to pursue a public benefit alongside profit. The bill amends existing sections to define key terms and establishes a new chapter outlining specific duties for the officers and directors of these entities. It also modernizes administrative procedures by mandating the acceptance of electronic filings and introducing expedited processing options with associated fees. These changes directly affect business owners and managers in Michigan who wish to incorporate as benefit corporations or those already operating under such structures.
Maddy summarySB 1189 amends Michigan law to change the time limits for filing claims against the state government. It requires individuals to file these claims within three years of the incident occurring, with specific exceptions for wrongful imprisonment compensation and other designated cases. The bill also grants the state attorney general the authority to act as a legal representative for the estates of deceased individuals or guardians for minors and other disabled persons in these matters. This legislation is designed to clarify procedural rules for suing the state and relies on the simultaneous passage of two other related bills to take effect.
Maddy summarySB 863 updates Michigan's sentencing laws to incorporate productivity credits for prisoners, allowing time earned through work programs to reduce their sentences. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure that credits previously established by other legislation are formally recognized when calculating release dates for inmates. This change directly affects incarcerated individuals who have participated in prison work or educational programs, potentially shortening the time they must serve before becoming eligible for parole. By aligning the statute with existing credit systems, the measure aims to provide a clearer legal framework for sentence reductions based on inmate productivity.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how Michigan public school academies can purchase or lease real estate from specific entities to prevent conflicts of interest. It prohibits these academies from buying or renting property from educational management organizations, their affiliated real estate holding companies, or any person connected to those companies. Additionally, the bill requires that all real estate transactions be approved by the academy's board of directors based on an independent appraisal to ensure market value and must be reviewed by the academy's authorizing body. If the authorizing body suspects a violation of these rules, it must notify the state superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education.
Maddy summarySB 1190 amends Michigan's criminal procedure code to update the time limits for filing indictments against individuals accused of various crimes. The bill establishes specific deadlines for serious offenses like murder and certain sexual conduct violations, while introducing special rules for cases involving DNA evidence from unidentified suspects. For crimes such as kidnapping and identity theft, the law allows prosecutors to file charges at any time if the suspect remains unknown, but sets a final deadline once the individual is identified. Additionally, the legislation extends the filing window for crimes committed against minors and adjusts time limits for offenses affecting real property. These changes aim to ensure that victims have adequate time to seek justice while maintaining clear procedural standards for the legal system.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's civil laws to update how the legal clock starts for lawsuits involving hazardous substances like groundwater contamination. Under the new rule, a victim's right to file a claim begins when they discover the harm or when they should have reasonably known about it, rather than from the date the contamination initially occurred. This change directly affects individuals or businesses seeking damages for environmental injuries by aligning the start of the legal filing period with the discovery of the problem. The provision simplifies the process for plaintiffs by ensuring the statute of limitations reflects when the issue became known to them.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires benefit corporations in Michigan to file an annual report detailing their social and environmental performance alongside their standard business filings. The new report must describe how the company pursued its public benefit goals, explain any obstacles faced, and provide an assessment of its overall impact based on a third-party standard. Companies must also disclose director compensation and clarify any connections between the third-party standard and the corporation to ensure transparency. While the report must be shared with shareholders and posted online, businesses can omit sensitive financial data and director pay from the public version.