HB 5562 amends Michigan's Consumer Financial Services Act to add the "Earned Wage Access Services Act" to the list of financial licensing acts requiring state regulation. This change directly affects companies offering earned wage access services (like apps allowing workers to access earned wages early), requiring them to obtain licenses under the same framework as other financial service providers. The bill modifies Section 2 of the act by explicitly including earned wage access services in the definition of "Financial licensing acts," aligning them with existing regulatory requirements. This is a definitional update without creating new rules or fees, ensuring these services fall under the state's financial licensing oversight.
HB 5564 amends Michigan's garnishment law to clarify rules for withholding wages or salary (referred to as "periodic payments"). It requires plaintiffs to send regular payment statements to defendants and garnishees (like employers), sets strict deadlines for default judgments, and establishes a 28-day cure period for employers who miss garnishment requirements. The bill specifically excludes earned wage access services (like paycheck advance apps) from these garnishment rules, as noted in section 13(d). This update aims to streamline the process for all parties involved in wage garnishments while ensuring transparency and reducing errors.
HB 5901 modifies Michigan's eminent domain laws to require government agencies to make a formal, good-faith written offer for property before starting condemnation proceedings. The bill also clarifies rules for filing court complaints, defines what constitutes a suitable replacement home for displaced residents, and outlines how agencies can request financial records from property owners to determine fair compensation. Additionally, the legislation shifts the burden of proof regarding bad faith offers to the agency and establishes specific penalties if an owner unreasonably withholds necessary financial documents.
This bill modifies Michigan's condemnation laws to clarify how courts review whether the government or a private entity needs to take private property. It establishes that public agencies' claims of needing land are generally binding on courts unless fraud, legal error, or abuse of discretion is proven, while private entities must prove public necessity to the court. The legislation also adjusts the burden of proof, requiring agencies to show by a preponderance of evidence that a taking is for public use, or by clear and convincing evidence if the project involves eradicating blight. Additionally, the bill sets a 60-day deadline for courts to decide these necessity challenges and limits the ability to appeal such decisions to the Court of Appeals without special permission.
This bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to cover infertility treatments starting January 1, 2027. It mandates coverage for diagnostic care, fertility treatments, and preservation services, including up to four complete egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers. The law prohibits insurers from imposing different deductibles, waiting periods, or limits on infertility benefits compared to other medical services, and it ensures coverage regardless of the patient's age, gender identity, or use of donor gametes or surrogates.
This resolution asks Michigan's representatives in Congress to support H.R. 7459, a bill designed to create a federal Coastal Storm Risk Management Trust Fund. The proposed fund would provide permanent money for coastal projects, such as beach nourishment, to help manage erosion along the Great Lakes. By encouraging the delegation to back this legislation, the bill aims to ensure a steady source of funding for protecting shorelines and public property. It does not directly allocate money itself but serves as a formal request to influence the congressional delegation's stance on the funding bill.
This bill amends Michigan's Child Custody Act to strengthen the preference for equal or approximately equal parenting time between parents. It requires courts to presume that shared parenting serves a child's best interests unless specific evidence shows otherwise, and mandates that parents be advised of this right when custody cases are filed. The legislation also clarifies that joint custody does not eliminate child support obligations and adds specific factors for courts to consider when determining parenting schedules, including the child's age and special needs.
This bill modifies Michigan's child custody laws to include equal parenting time with both parents as a specific factor when courts decide what is in a child's best interest. It establishes a legal presumption that awarding equal or approximately equal parenting time to each parent serves the child's best interests, unless proven otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. The legislation also strengthens protections against offenders convicted of criminal sexual conduct by prohibiting them from receiving custody of their own children or siblings without the consent of the other parent or the child. These changes directly affect parents involved in custody disputes and aim to ensure that custody decisions prioritize balanced parental involvement while maintaining safety for victims of sexual misconduct.
This bill requires Michigan's Friend of the Court offices to provide specific information to parents involved in child custody or support cases. The key changes mandate that these offices give parties a pamphlet explaining their rights, including the legal presumption of equal parenting time and the option to close the Friend of the Court case if they do not need its enforcement services. Additionally, the bill ensures parents are informed about joint custody options, alternative dispute resolution methods, and how to file grievances against the office. These informational duties must be fulfilled as soon as possible after a case is filed, with an oral explanation available upon request. The legislation also clarifies procedures for investigations and fee assessments related to custody and support recommendations.
HB 5091 amends Michigan's Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act by clarifying key definitions used in financial reporting. It specifically defines terms like "public officer" (including state legislators, the governor, attorney general, and county officials in large counties), "earned income," "gift," and "liabilities" for disclosure purposes. These definitions will directly affect elected state officials and certain county leaders who must file annual financial disclosures. The bill does not change reporting requirements but ensures consistent understanding of terms used in the disclosure forms. It focuses on standardizing terminology rather than creating new obligations.
This bill creates the Michigan PFAS action response team (MPART), a new state entity dedicated to addressing contamination from PFAS chemicals, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' The team will be composed of directors from various state departments, including environmental protection and health services, who will work together to identify affected sites, develop cleanup plans, and coordinate public health responses. MPART is authorized to conduct investigations, hire experts, share information with local and federal agencies, and recommend changes to existing laws to better manage environmental and public safety threats related to PFAS.
This bill creates a new Citizen's Advisory Working Group within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to assist with PFAS contamination efforts. The group will be made up of current or former residents from communities affected by PFAS contamination, and its members will serve without pay but can receive reimbursement for necessary expenses. The group's main duties include advising the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team on community outreach, reviewing existing strategies, and making recommendations to improve public awareness of health risks related to PFAS.
