Rep. Noah Arbit

Maddy summaryHB 5213 requires Michigan's Friend of the Court offices to provide parents with an informational pamphlet explaining the legal presumption of equal or approximately equal parenting time in child custody cases. This pamphlet must detail the presumption as outlined in Michigan's Child Custody Act (MCL 722.26a), alongside information about joint custody options. The bill amends existing law to ensure parents receive this specific information early in domestic relations proceedings. It directly affects parents involved in custody disputes who interact with the Friend of the Court system. The change focuses on informing parents of their rights, not altering custody standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal cause of action in Michigan allowing individuals to sue anyone who deprives them of rights protected by the U.S. Constitution while acting under the authority of the law. It establishes that victims of such civil rights violations can seek redress in court, while also defining specific rules for when judges can be held personally liable and limiting the types of relief available against them. The legislation sets a two-year time limit for filing these lawsuits and permits courts to award reasonable attorney fees to successful plaintiffs, though it preserves existing defenses like sovereign immunity and qualified immunity.

Maddy summaryHB 4358 modifies Michigan's Home Rule City Act to standardize when city officials' terms begin. It requires that all elected city officers (like mayors and council members) serving terms starting after December 31, 2024, must begin their terms at 12 noon on the first day of the month following their election - replacing any existing charter provisions allowing earlier start dates. The bill also mandates that individuals filling vacant positions cannot take the oath of office until election results are certified by the board of canvassers. This applies to all Michigan cities with home rule charters and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHB 4359 modifies Michigan village election rules by changing the start date for elected officials' terms from November 20 to December 1. It clarifies that villages electing six trustees (instead of three) must serve two-year terms, rather than four-year terms, and updates vacancy procedures to require a petition signed by 10% of voters within 10 days to trigger a special election when the council falls below quorum. These changes directly affect village officials and voters in all Michigan villages operating under the General Law Village Act (MCL 62.4 et seq.), streamlining term start dates and vacancy resolution. The bill passed with immediate effect in September 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen regulations and oversight of onsite wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks and holding tanks, primarily affecting property owners and local health departments. It establishes new definitions for various waste treatment systems and grants the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, along with local health departments, expanded authority to inspect, evaluate, and investigate these facilities on private property. To support compliance and public safety, the legislation creates a dedicated public education and training fund financed by a $5 fee added to application charges, which will be used to fund outreach programs and training for health officials and evaluators.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for survivors of criminal sexual conduct to file civil lawsuits for damages, raising the maximum age to file from 28 to 42 and adding a seven-year window based on when the injury is discovered. It also creates a special revival window for claims that were previously barred, allowing victims who were minors between 1997 and the bill's effective date to sue if the alleged perpetrator was convicted and admitted to abusing their authority or engaging in unethical medical conduct. Additionally, the legislation sets a cap of $1.5 million in damages for each incident involving a single defendant in these specific cases. The law applies to incidents of criminal sexual conduct regardless of whether a criminal prosecution was ever brought or resulted in a conviction, provided the civil suit is filed within the new extended deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific exception to governmental immunity in Michigan, allowing public universities, colleges, and school districts to be sued for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees. Under the new provisions, an institution can be held liable if it was negligent in hiring, supervising, or training the employee, or if it knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to report it to law enforcement. Additionally, liability may arise if the school district had prior knowledge of the employee's history of sexual misconduct and did not intervene to prevent further acts. The law clarifies that a criminal conviction is not required for a lawsuit to proceed, ensuring that victims can seek civil remedies even if the perpetrator avoids criminal charges.

Maddy summaryHB 6049 modifies the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving criminal sexual conduct in Michigan, extending the time a victim has to file a claim to 10 years. This change applies to cases where the alleged conduct falls under specific criminal sexual offenses, regardless of whether a criminal prosecution was ever filed or resulted in a conviction. The bill defines "criminal sexual conduct" to include acts prohibited under specific sections of the Michigan penal code and clarifies that a dating relationship involves frequent, intimate associations with an expectation of affection. By updating these timelines, the legislation ensures that survivors have a longer window to seek damages for injuries sustained from such conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's laws regarding the time limits for filing claims against the state government. It extends the deadline for submitting these claims to three years from the date the claim first arises, aligning the rule with other state statutes. The legislation also clarifies the attorney general's authority to seek guardianship or estate administration for minors or incapacitated individuals in cases involving the state. Additionally, the bill specifies that these new rules apply retroactively to certain pending legal actions and notes that it only becomes effective if two related Senate bills are also passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's civil procedure rules to create an exception to the standard notice requirements for lawsuits involving criminal sexual conduct. Currently, individuals must file a written notice with the Court of Claims within one year of an incident to sue the state, but this legislation would allow those filing such specific sexual conduct claims to bypass that initial filing step. The change directly affects victims of criminal sexual conduct who wish to pursue legal action against the state, removing the immediate administrative hurdle of submitting a preliminary claim. The bill is tied to another piece of legislation, meaning it will only become effective if that companion bill is also passed into law.