This bill requires private employers and educational institutions in Michigan to include "multiracial" as an option when collecting racial or ethnic data from individuals. It also mandates that these organizations remove the "other" classification from such forms. If a federal agency rejects the "multiracial" category, the bill instructs employers and schools to redistribute those responses among approved racial categories based on population ratios. Public bodies and state universities are explicitly exempt from these new requirements.
This bill modifies Michigan's pawnbroker regulations to update the legal requirements for certain documents used in the industry. Specifically, it amends a section of the Pawnbrokers Act to address how pawnshops handle written requests for racial identification. The change aims to clarify or adjust the rules governing these specific interactions between pawnbrokers and their clients. By altering the existing statute, the legislation seeks to refine the operational standards for licensed pawnshops in the state.
SB 799 creates a new licensing system for adult psychiatric residential treatment facilities (APRTFs) that provide 24-hour residential psychiatric care to adults 18+ with severe mental health needs. It requires facilities to obtain a license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, pay fees ($2,000 initial, $1,000 renewal), and undergo on-site inspections before operating. The bill sets standards for care, defines prohibited exclusions (like psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes), and specifies that licensed facilities must offer individualized treatment plans certified by a physician. This directly affects APRTFs currently operating without state licensing, requiring them to meet new regulatory requirements to continue providing services.
Senate Bill 265 amends the law governing the Michigan Transportation Fund, affecting how the State Transportation Department, counties, cities, and villages allocate funds. The bill mandates that at least 1% of these funds must be expended on constructing, improving, maintaining, or repairing nonmotorized transportation infrastructure, explicitly stating that "maintaining" does not include snow removal. It broadens the definition of qualified nonmotorized facilities and allows the 1% spending requirement to be met as an average over a 10-year period. Additionally, the bill requires these government entities to develop 5-year programs for nonmotorized facility improvements and consult with other jurisdictions on related projects.
SB 580 modifies Michigan's rules for issuing restricted driver's licenses to individuals suspended due to DUI convictions. It requires installing an ignition interlock device and completing a specialty court program before eligibility, limiting driving to work, treatment, school, or essential appointments. The restricted license remains valid for at least one year, during which any alcohol use could trigger further suspension. This applies to those with two DUI convictions or one DUI plus prior related offenses under Michigan law.
Senate Bill 952 establishes the Michigan Special Education Accountability Act to strengthen protections for students with disabilities facing school discipline. The bill requires school boards and officials to consider specific factors, such as a student's age and disciplinary history, before suspending or expelling any pupil. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions involving students with disabilities, the bill mandates that schools complete a functional behavioral assessment, implement a behavior intervention plan, and obtain legal guidance to ensure the action does not violate the student's rights. Additionally, the bill requires districts to annually report all suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities to the state department.
This bill, titled the "Homes Are for People Act," prohibits hedge funds from purchasing or owning single-family homes in Michigan. It defines a hedge fund as an organization managing at least $50 million in assets and a single-family home as a property with one to four units that is not a vacant foreclosure or a government-funded project. While new purchases by these funds are banned, the law allows hedge funds to keep any single-family homes they already own when the act takes effect. Any property acquired in violation of this rule would be subject to legal forfeiture.
HB 5939 updates Michigan's Business Corporation Act to formally authorize the creation of benefit corporations and clarify the roles and duties of their officers and directors. The bill defines key terms such as 'benefit corporation' and 'independent director,' establishing specific experience and conflict-of-interest requirements for independent directors to ensure unbiased governance. By amending existing sections and adding new chapters, the legislation provides a clear legal framework for businesses seeking to operate with a focus on social and environmental goals alongside profit.
HB 5925 amends Michigan's corporate income tax law to require companies to add back certain expenses related to outsourcing and relocating business operations out of the state. Specifically, the bill mandates that businesses must include specified outsourcing expenses in their taxable income if those costs were incurred to eliminate a trade or business located in Michigan or to relocate a business that was previously in the state to a new location outside of it. The legislation defines these eligible expenses as costs associated with ending or moving a business, such as permit fees, lease brokerage fees, and equipment installation costs. This change directly affects corporations with business activity in Michigan that have undertaken outsourcing or relocation activities, requiring them to pay additional state taxes on these specific expenditures.
HB 5926 updates Michigan's liquor laws to increase the annual volume limit for direct wine shipments to consumers from 1,500 cases to 9,000 cases, or from 13,500 liters to 81,000 liters. This change allows wineries and direct shippers to send more wine directly to customers via mail or online while maintaining existing rules on age verification, labeling, and tax payments. The bill applies to both Michigan-based and out-of-state wineries that hold a direct shipper license and wish to expand their direct-to-consumer sales within the state.
This bill modifies Michigan's laws regarding the seizure and forfeiture of property connected to criminal activities. It directly affects property owners, creditors, and law enforcement agencies by clarifying which assets can be taken by the government. The legislation updates rules on what constitutes forfeitable property, specifically protecting primary residences of spouses and children unless they knew about and agreed to the crime, while also detailing protections for homeowners with unpaid land contracts and security interests. Additionally, it sets limits on how much money can be recovered from substituted proceeds, ensuring the government only takes the value of the original crime proceeds plus specific legal costs. The bill will only become effective if two related companion bills are also passed by the legislature.
This bill updates Michigan's legal definitions regarding property forfeiture by specifying which crimes allow the government to seize assets. It directly affects individuals and businesses involved in offenses related to environmental protection, healthcare fraud, antitrust violations, securities law, and various criminal acts. The key mechanism is expanding the list of qualifying crimes to include specific violations of environmental and financial regulations, while also clarifying terms like "instrumentality," "proceeds," and "willful blindness" to ensure consistent application in court. By tying this legislation to companion bills, the measure ensures that these new definitions only take effect if the related procedural bills are also passed.
