Michigan has earned the dubious distinction of being one of just 17 states with no law protecting against costly, frivolous lawsuits that are used to intimidate and silence critics. As a result, these states earned an “F” in the 2023 Anti-SLAPP Report Card, recently released by the Institute of Free Speech. In fact, according to the report card, Michigan earned 0 out of 100 points.
Read more at Detroit Metro Times
Michigan is the only state that criminalizes surrogacy contracts, but bills aim to change that
In Michigan, not only are surrogacy contracts unenforceable and void, but they are illegal. Michigan is the only state to criminalize surrogacy contracts.
Read more at Michigan Advance
Labor shortages in various parts of the economy have led to increased interest in reforming occupational licensing, as the National Conference of State Legislatures observed in March 2022
Read more at Capcon
Prior to the new law, retired educators had to wait nine months before working at a school in order to keep their pension benefits.
Read more at WZZM13
Among other issues, the claims process is not well-advertised or understood by motorists: Of 83 county road agencies, only 20 have posted damage claim forms online or have readily available information on their websites about how to file one.
Read more at Bridge Michigan
Shaaln Kejbou was charged with violating the state health code, which carries a possible 15-year prison sentence, with his extensive operation in Michigan's Thumb region. But a 2018 law that allows cultivation and recreational use of marijuana would make it only a 90-day misdemeanor to grow so many plants.
Read more at MSN.com
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation on Tuesday that prevents child marriage. The bills raise the minimum age to marry in Michigan to 18.
The bills also prevent parents and guardians from consenting to a minor’s marriage.
Read more at Fox17
In October 2021, two new laws went into effect to help keep children safe on the school bus.
The first makes it easier to ticket drivers who blow through the school bus' extended stop arm. Previously, police had to actually witness a car blow through a bus stop arm sign in order to give a ticket.
Under the law, drivers can be ticketed using exterior cameras on buses. Some schools already have the cameras, while others are now looking into the investment because of the new law.
Read more at WXYZ Deroit
The Michigan judiciary will receive $34.6 million in new funding under the just-signed state budget for Fiscal Year 2024. Funding addresses strategic priorities such as juvenile justice, statewide case management, transparency, racial equity, and civil justice resources.
Read more at Michigan Courts
Michigan Cannabis Regulators Can Do Whatever, But You Can't Sue Them In Supreme Court Because...Well, Pot Is Illegal
A federal court ruled this week that whether or not Michigan regulators violated the law really doesn’t matter, because...well, cannabis is still illegal under federal law.
Read more at Benzinga
