This bill prohibits insurance companies in Michigan from using price optimization techniques when setting rates. It defines price optimization as adjusting premiums based on factors unrelated to risk, such as a customer's willingness to pay or their likelihood of switching providers. The law also bans insurers from penalizing customers for shopping around, canceling policies early, or complaining about their coverage. By outlawing these practices, the bill aims to ensure that insurance rates are determined solely by the risk of loss or expense rather than a consumer's financial behavior.
This bill updates Michigan's Medicaid False Claims Act to clarify what counts as an illegal kickback or bribe in the medical services sector. It maintains the existing rule that offering or receiving payments to refer patients for services is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison or a fine of $30,000. The legislation adds a specific exemption stating that "model arrangements" and "model patient incentives" approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are not considered illegal kickbacks. This change aims to provide legal clarity for healthcare providers participating in federal-approved incentive programs while preserving penalties for other forms of improper referral payments.
This bill expands the powers and duties of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman, which handles complaints from prisoners, their advocates, and legislators regarding conditions in state correctional facilities. Key changes require the ombudsman to notify complainants and affected prisoners when investigating or declining to investigate complaints, and mandate that the office consult with the Department of Corrections before issuing any report that criticizes the department or its staff. The legislation also establishes strict reporting requirements, forcing the ombudsman to publish detailed monthly and annual reports on complaint statistics and department responses, while adding protections to ensure that individuals cannot be penalized for filing complaints or cooperating with the ombudsman. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the ombudsman's authority operates alongside, rather than replacing, existing legal remedies and appeal processes for prisoners.
HB 5920 expands the powers of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to better investigate issues within the Department of Corrections. The bill allows the ombudsman to launch investigations based on complaints from prisoners, legislators, or family members, as well as on their own initiative regarding safety and security concerns. Key provisions include granting the ombudsman access to medical and mortality records, the ability to hire qualified experts for inspections, and the authority to enter correctional facilities at any time, including during emergencies.
HB 4202 amends Michigan's income tax code to update deductions for retirement benefits and education-related payments. It specifically adjusts the maximum deductible amount for retirement/pension benefits (currently $42,240 for singles/$84,480 for couples) to automatically increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, and clarifies rules for deducting payments made to Michigan's education trust for tuition. The bill affects Michigan taxpayers who claim these deductions, particularly retirees and those using education trust programs. It does not create a new "fetus exemption" (a misstatement in the bill title), but refines existing tax code provisions for retirement income and education savings. The bill is currently in committee after its March 2025 introduction.
SB 22 requires Michigan landlords to return security deposit refunds via electronic transfer (such as direct deposit or mobile payment) instead of checks when deducting for damages. Landlords must send the refund electronically within 10 days after mailing a damage notice to the tenant, which must include a 7-day response deadline. This affects all landlords and tenants in Michigan rental agreements involving security deposits. The law maintains existing requirements for 30-day damage notices and itemized claims but changes how refunds are delivered.
SB 373 prohibits landlords from charging tenants extra fees for using specific payment methods (like credit cards or checks) in rental agreements. It requires leases to include at least one payment option without additional charges. The bill directly affects tenants by preventing unfair fees and landlords by restricting lease terms. Key provisions ban clauses that waive tenant rights related to security deposits, habitability, or discrimination, and require written notice for certain rent increases. This amendment to Michigan's Truth in Renting Act (MCL 554.633) focuses on making rental agreements fairer through concrete, enforceable limits on fees and unfair terms.
SB 527 updates Michigan's foreclosure process to allow virtual public sales of mortgaged property. It requires that if a foreclosure sale is held online, the party conducting the sale must post details on the county’s website and use other methods to notify the public. This directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure, mortgage lenders, and county officials managing sales, ensuring broader public awareness of virtual auctions. The bill adds specific language to notice requirements (under Sec. 3212) to clarify online sale procedures and maintain transparency. It does not change the core foreclosure process but modernizes how sales are advertised and conducted.
SB 569 amends Michigan’s Public Health Code to modify the fee structure for nurse aide and medication aide training and permit programs. It specifically adjusts sections 21919 and 21920 (MCL 333.21919 and 333.21920) governing these fees. The bill directly affects training programs and individuals seeking certification as nurse aides or medication aides in Michigan. These changes update the administrative fees collected by the state for processing permits and training program oversight. The bill does not alter program requirements or eligibility but adjusts the financial mechanisms for program administration.
HB 6228 amends the Michigan Tax Increment Financing Act to exclude property taxes levied for history museum authorities from the pool of tax increment revenues that local development authorities can capture. This change directly affects downtown development, local development finance, and other TIF authorities by preventing them from using captured property value growth to fund projects in areas where a history museum authority has already established its own tax base. The bill applies this exclusion across multiple sections of the act governing different types of development zones, ensuring that these specific museum-related taxes are not diverted to other municipal economic development efforts.
Michigan House Bill 6229 significantly increases the amount of personal property that individuals can protect from creditors when filing for bankruptcy under state law. The bill raises exemption limits for key assets, including increasing the homestead exemption to $125,000 (or $200,000 for those over age 65 or disabled), raising the motor vehicle exemption to $15,000, and expanding protections for household goods, tools of trade, and retirement accounts. It also introduces a new mechanism where the state treasurer adjusts these dollar amounts every three years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and the Home Price Index to account for inflation. These changes apply to bankruptcy cases filed after the bill's effective date, allowing debtors to retain more of their essential assets during the legal process.
Michigan House Bill 6225 permanently reduces the state individual income tax rate to 3.9% starting in 2028, eliminating a previous automatic mechanism that could have lowered the rate further based on general fund revenue growth. The bill establishes a phased reduction schedule, lowering the tax from 4.15% in 2026 to 4.0% in 2027 before reaching the final rate. It also mandates specific annual deposits from income tax collections into the state school aid fund and the renew Michigan infrastructure fund, with the latter receiving $69 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2030.
