Sen. Mary Cavanagh

Maddy summaryThis Michigan bill requires law enforcement agencies to obtain written parental consent before using minors under 18 as confidential informants or active participants in law enforcement activities. The law defines specific types of law enforcement agencies covered, including state police, local police departments, and university police, while excluding individuals who voluntarily report crimes without being recontacted for additional information. Parents or legal guardians can seek court orders to stop agencies from using their children in these roles if consent requirements are not met, and the bill mandates that agencies pay court costs and attorney fees along with damages ranging from $500 to $1,000 if they violate the consent provision. The legislation does not apply to minors who are legally emancipated under existing state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to provide every prisoner with a medical information release form, an emergency contact form, and an informational brochure upon intake. Prisoners must designate specific individuals to receive their medical information (authorized recipients) and to be contacted during a critical medical emergency (emergency contacts), with the department instructing them to keep contact details updated. In a critical medical emergency, the department must notify the designated emergency contact and may arrange for approved visitors (like family or clergy) to visit the prisoner in the hospital. The department must develop the required forms and brochure within 90 days of the bill's effective date and make them available to all prisoners.

Maddy summarySB 752 amends Michigan law to require courts to verify two specific conditions before allowing certain legal claims (like liens or attachments) against property to be recorded: (1) a detailed explanation of the claim's basis with supporting documents, and (2) proof that the property owner was notified. This applies to most filings except tax liens, consensual agreements (e.g., mortgages), court orders, and specific financial institutions like banks, credit unions, or motor vehicle finance companies. Violations without valid reason could trigger penalties under existing law. The bill primarily affects property owners and entities filing claims, ensuring greater transparency and notice before claims impact property rights.

Maddy summarySB 751 amends Section 3 of Michigan's Guaranteed Asset Protection Waiver Act (2009 PA 229) to clarify key terms and establish a mandatory 30-day free look period. This means borrowers who purchase motor vehicle financing (like loans or leases) can cancel a guaranteed asset protection waiver - where a creditor charges extra to cover vehicle damage/theft losses - within 30 days without penalty, fees, or costs. The bill directly affects borrowers in motor vehicle financing transactions, defining terms like "borrower," "creditor," and "guaranteed asset protection waiver" more precisely. It requires the free look period to begin on the waiver's effective date, giving consumers a clear window to reconsider the purchase. Note: This bill's effective date depends on Senate Bill 739 also becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 744 amends Michigan's Uniform Commercial Code to update the citation referencing the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act (MCL 492.101-492.141.492.137a). This is a technical correction to ensure legal references align with current statutes, without changing any substantive law or affecting consumers, businesses, or other groups. The bill requires Senate Bill 739 to be enacted first before taking effect.

Maddy summarySB 749 amends the Consumer Financial Services Act to correct outdated references to the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. It updates sections 2 and 6 to ensure accurate citations of the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act (1950 Ex Sess PA 27, MCL 492.101-492.141, including 492.137a) within the Consumer Financial Services Act. This technical correction does not change any existing consumer protections, licensing requirements, or financial obligations for licensees. The bill ensures legal documents consistently cite the current statutory language for clarity and accuracy.

Maddy summarySB 740 amends Michigan's vehicle code to update procedures for transferring vehicle titles when a security interest (like a car loan) is involved. It requires dealers to submit written notice to the state when a security interest is released, ensuring the title reflects the new owner without outstanding liens. The bill also mandates that title transfers involving security interests must be processed electronically, streamlining the process for dealers and lenders. This affects vehicle dealers, lenders holding security interests, and owners during vehicle sales or title transfers.

Maddy summarySB 747 amends Michigan's Retail Installment Sales Act to clarify and align disclosure requirements for consumer financing. It specifies that compliance with federal Truth in Lending Act rules satisfies Michigan's disclosure obligations (Section 1a), mandates clear contract formatting (e.g., 8-point type for most text, 10-point bold for buyer notices), and requires sellers to provide a copy of the signed contract before finalizing transactions (Section 3). The bill specifically clarifies that costs for guaranteed asset protection (GAP) waivers on vehicles must be separately stated and are not considered finance charges (Section 3(f)). This directly affects retail sellers (like car dealers) and buyers entering installment contracts for goods or services.

Maddy summarySB 743 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to update definitions related to environmental cleanup standards, specifically revising how "background concentration" of hazardous substances is determined. The bill clarifies that natural pollutant levels (existing without human contamination) can be verified using updated Michigan Administrative Code tables, the 2005 Michigan background soil survey, or department-approved studies. This change directly affects property owners, developers, and environmental agencies assessing contaminated sites, as it provides clearer criteria for determining when cleanup is required. The revised definitions streamline baseline environmental assessments and cleanup decisions under Michigan's brownfield redevelopment program. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summarySB 748 amends Michigan's Credit Reform Act to clarify that motor vehicle financing under the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act (MCL 492.101-492.137a) falls under the same consumer protection rules as other credit sales. It specifically updates Section 5 to allow precomputed interest for car loans (where interest is calculated upfront) if rebates for early payoff are calculated using the actuarial method. This directly affects car buyers, dealers, and lenders offering vehicle financing by standardizing how interest and rebates are handled. The bill aims to reduce confusion about consumer protections for auto loans without changing the underlying law.