Public Policy Update from the State Bar of Michigan
 
 
 

December 21, 2020
Volume 18, Issue 51

The State Bar of Michigan will be closed December 24, 2020, through January 1, 2021. The building will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021.

At the Capitol

Legislation Introduced 12/15–12/17
Last week bills were introduced in the following areas of law:

Legislative Action Last Week:
Summary of legislative action on all bills that the State Bar or sections of the State Bar have taken positions.
HB 4488 (Individual Licensing & Registration, Use of Criminal Record to Determine Eligibility) was returned from the Senate without amendment on 12/15. It now goes to the Governor for her signature.
SBM Position on HB 4488: Support.

HB 4489 (Revised Judicature Act of 1961, Qualifications for Admission to State Bar) was returned from the Senate without amendment on 12/15. It now goes to the Governor for her signature.
SBM Position on HB 4489: Support.

HB 4910 (Regulating the Prescription of Emotional Support Animals) was reported out of the Senate Committee of the Whole as substitute S-1 on 12/16 and placed on order of third reading.
Animal Law Section Position on HB 4910: Oppose.

HB 4911 (Revised Judicature Act of 1961, Emotional Support Animals) was reported out of the Senate Committee of the Whole on 12/16 and placed on order of third reading.
Animal Law Section Position on HB 4911: Oppose.

The Substitute S-1 of HB 5850 (Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act) passed the House unanimously on 12/16. It now goes to the Governor for her signature. 
Family Law Section Position on HB 5850: Oppose.

Substitute S-3 and H-3 of SB 73 (Michigan Vehicle Code, Address Confidentiality Program) were concurred in, and passed the House on 12/17.
Family Law Section Position on SB 73: Support with Recommended Amendments.

Substitute S-1 and H-3 of SB 74 (Enhanced Driver License, Address Confidentiality Program) were concurred in, and passed the House on 12/17.
Family Law Section Position on SB 74: Support with Recommended Amendments.

Substitute S-3 and H-4 of SB 75 (Official Personal Identification Card, Address Confidentiality Program) were concurred in, and passed the House on 12/17.
Family Law Section Position on SB 75: Support with Recommended Amendments.

SB 464 (A Bill to Require Financial Institutions to Report Financial Exploitation) was reported out of the House Committee on Judiciary without amendment on 12/15.
Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Position on SB 464: Support in Concept but with Amendments.
Probate & Estate Planning Section Position on SB 464: Support.

SB 465 (The Social Welfare Act) was reported out of the House Committee on Judiciary without amendment on 12/15.
Probate & Estate Planning Section Position on SB 465: Support.

SB 862 (The Social Welfare Act) was reported out of the House Committee on Judiciary without amendment on 12/15.
Probate & Estate Planning Section Position on SB 862: Support.

SB 1186 (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) passed the House 107 to 1 on 12/16.
Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Position on SB 1186: Support in Concept.

SB 1187 (Michigan Law on Notarial Acts) passed the House 107 to 1 on 12/16.
Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Position on SB 1187: Support in Concept.
Family Law Section Position on SB 1187: Support with Recommended Amendments.

SB 1188 (Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act) passed the House 107 to 1 on 12/16.
Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Position on SB 1188: Support in Concept.
Family Law Section Position on SB 1188: Support with Recommended Amendments.

SB 1189 (Estates & Protected Individuals Code, Electronically Signing & Witnessing Certain Documents) passed the House 107 to 1 on 12/16.
Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Position on SB 1189: Support in Concept.
Family Law Section Position on SB 1189: Support with Recommended Amendments.

At the Court

Supreme Court Unveils Report Aimed at Closing the Justice Gap

Administrative Order
ADM File No. 2019-32: Administrative Order No. 2020-23 – Professionalism Principles for Lawyers & Judges
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: Immediately

Local Court Rules
ADM File No. 2020-35: Adoption of LCR 5.101 for the Wayne County Probate Court
This rule was requested by Wayne County Probate Court to promote more efficient processing of filings.
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: Immediately

Appointments
ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointment of Chief Judge of the 90th District Court
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: 1/1/21

ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointment of Chief Judge of the 11th Circuit Court, Alger/Schoolcraft Probate District 5, Luce/Mackinac Probate District 6, and the 93rd District Court
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: 12/4/20

ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointments to the Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: 1/1/21

ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointments to the Committee on Model Criminal Jury Instructions
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: 1/1/21

ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointment to Court Reporting and ecording Board of Review
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: Immediately

ADM File No. 2020-01: Appointments to the Foreign Language Board of Review
Issued: 12/16/20
Effective: 1/1/21

At the Bar

Scams Targeting Attorneys Reported in Michigan

New A.O. Offers Professionalism Principles for Lawyers and Judges

Attorney Support for the Access to Justice Campaign


Links of Interest

SBM Public Policy Resource Center
Public Acts
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Legislature
MCL Search Engines