Sen. Stephanie Chang

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms Michigan's commitment to strengthening its relationship with Taiwan by highlighting shared values and existing economic and academic partnerships. The bill specifically supports the work of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago and encourages further trade agreements and educational exchanges between the two regions. Additionally, it expresses continued support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations that affect public health, safety, and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Mobile Home Commission Act to modernize the regulation of manufactured housing and the entities that manage or sell them. It directly affects mobile home dealers, park owners, local governments, and residents by clarifying definitions and establishing new rules for licensing and safety. Key provisions include refining what constitutes a mobile home, defining the roles of the state department and local authorities, and adding specific sections to address warranties, service practices, and the titling of homes. The legislation also introduces new terms like "material deficiency" to better identify violations that threaten health and safety within mobile home parks. Overall, the bill aims to streamline administrative processes and ensure consistent standards across the state's mobile home industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new procedure for mobile home park owners to declare a resident's mobile home abandoned under specific conditions. The process requires a prior court order restoring possession to the park owner, followed by a waiting period of at least 90 days of non-occupancy or 10 days of unpaid rent, along with delinquent debts. Before declaring abandonment, the park owner must calculate the home's fair market value, send detailed notices to the owner and lienholders, and file a notice with the secretary of state. If the home's value exceeds the owed rent and fees, the park owner must offer the excess amount to the owner via check. The bill also outlines the owner's right to remove the home within a set timeframe and the park owner's ability to apply for title if the home remains unremoved after a final notice period.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Mobile Home Commission Act to clarify how mobile home parks are inspected and regulated in Michigan. It allows state officials to conduct physical inspections of parks and share reports with local governments, while restricting local inspections to cases where there is evidence of a violation. The legislation also refines the process for granting variances from building codes, ensuring they are limited to specific, practical difficulties and do not undermine minimum safety standards. Additionally, the bill defines the responsibilities of dealers and installers, clarifies training requirements, and prohibits unfair practices such as charging entrance or exit fees or forcing residents to buy homes from the park owner.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's mobile home park laws to require owners to offer tenants written leases with terms of at least one year, though monthly agreements remain allowed if the tenant declines a longer term. Landlords must provide a written notice at least 30 days before a lease expires to offer renewal, and any unexpired lease that is not renewed in writing automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy. Additionally, the legislation mandates that shorter-term leases include a statement confirming that a one-year option was offered but declined, and it prohibits unlicensed park owners from collecting rent or holding tenants responsible for rent owed during periods when they are not licensed. These changes take effect only if several related companion bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Mobile Home Commission Act to require park owners to notify residents, the state department, and local governments before selling a mobile home park or changing its land use. For parks without a residents' organization, owners must mail written notice to each resident at least 10 days before a sale closes. If a homeowners' association or cooperative exists, owners must provide written notice to the association's leadership between 30 days and one year before listing the park for sale or making an offer. The law also establishes a process where interested residents can express purchase interest, allowing the association to negotiate directly with the owner and potentially assign those rights to local housing authorities or nonprofits. Additionally, the bill clarifies licensing requirements for new owners and provides a legal avenue for residents to seek damages if an owner fails to provide the required notices.

Maddy summarySB 227 amends Michigan's child care laws to update and clarify the definitions of various facilities and staff members regulated by the state. The bill specifically revises how "child care staff" and "child caring institution staff" are identified, setting age thresholds at 16 and 18 years old respectively for individuals who work with or have unsupervised access to children. It also provides more precise definitions for specific settings like children's therapeutic group homes, which are limited to caring for no more than six minors with developmental disabilities or serious emotional disturbances. These changes aim to ensure that the legal framework accurately reflects the roles and responsibilities of those working in licensed child care environments.

Maddy summarySB 903 amends Michigan's Truth in Renting Act to clarify the legal remedies available to tenants when landlords violate specific rental agreement rules. The bill allows tenants to sue for damages, terminate their leases, or stop landlords from using illegal clauses if the landlord fails to fix the issue within 20 days of receiving written notice. It also provides for the recovery of court costs and attorney fees for tenants who win these cases, while establishing conditions under which a tenant can skip the initial notice step, such as when a violation has already been confirmed in court. This legislation is tied to three other bills and will not take effect until all of them are passed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens tenant rights in Michigan by establishing a formal "repair and deduct" process that allows renters to fix critical housing issues when landlords fail to do so. It requires landlords to begin repairs within specific timeframes after receiving written notice, ranging from 24 hours for immediate health hazards like mold or bedbugs to seven days for other defects. If a landlord does not act within these deadlines, tenants may legally withhold rent, place it in an escrow account, or hire contractors to perform the repairs and deduct the costs from their rent. The legislation also mandates that rental agreements explicitly include these rights and prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who follow the proper procedures. However, the bill cannot take effect until three other related housing bills are also passed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Tenants Right to Organize Act in Michigan, granting residential tenants the legal right to form tenant unions and engage in collective activities. It defines specific rules for how these unions can operate, including distributing literature, holding meetings, and collecting dues, while also outlining conditions under which tenant organizers may visit rental properties. The legislation prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants or interfering with union activities, such as by delaying maintenance or revoking access to amenities, and provides for civil fines and attorney fees as penalties for violations. Importantly, the bill does not take effect until three companion bills are also passed, indicating it is part of a broader legislative package.