Public Policy Update from the State Bar of Michigan
 
 
 

September 27, 2021
Volume 19, Issue 39

At the Capitol

House Session Schedule
Senate Session Schedule

9/28 House Judiciary, 9:00 a.m. MORE
Agenda:
HB 4703 (Rep. Douglas Wozniak) Crimes: animals; restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; impose penalty on ownership of animal to person convicted of certain crimes against animal.
Animal Law Section Position on HB 4703: Support.
HB 4704 (Rep. Douglas Wozniak) Animals: care and treatment; restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; impose penalties upon owner.
Animal Law Section Position on HB 4704: Support.
HB 4851 (Rep. Julie Alexander) Crimes: other; preventing reporting of crime; prohibit by use of position of authority.
HB 4852 (Rep. Sara Cambensy) Crimes: other; preventing reporting of certain alleged crimes to title IX coordinator by use of position of authority; prohibit.
HB 4854 (Rep. Julie Rogers) Children: protection; distribution of training package to individuals designated as mandatory reporters for child abuse or child neglect; require.
HB 4856 (Rep. Kyra Bolden) Civil rights: public records; identity of parties proceeding anonymously in civil actions alleging sexual misconduct; exempt from disclosure under freedom of information act.
HB 4887 (Rep. Mike Mueller) Juveniles: crimes; transportation of juvenile who commits a crime with an adult; clarify.
HB 5259 (Rep. Luke Meerman) Courts: judges; number of judges in Ottawa County; modify.

9/29 Senate Judiciary & Public Safety, 9:15 a.m. MORE
Agenda:
SB 244 (Sen. Jim Runestad) Civil procedure: service of process; proof of service; provide for verification of service.
SBM Position on SB 244: Support.
SB 375 (Sen. Sylvia Santana) Law enforcement: training; law enforcement agencies that fund police training for recruits; allow agreements requiring reimbursement in certain situations.

Complete Committee Meeting List

Legislation Introduced Recently
Recently bills were introduced in the following areas of law:


At the Court

Rule Amendments
ADM File No. 2020-36: Retention of Amendments of MCR 3.903, 3.945, 3.966, 3.975, and 3.976 and Addition of MCR 3.947
On order of the Court, notice and an opportunity for comment having been provided, the April 14, 2021 amendments of Rules 3.903, 3.945, 3.966, 3.975, and 3.976 and addition of Rule 3.947 of the Michigan Court Rules are retained.
Issued: 9/22/21
Effective: Immediately

ADM File No. 2021-09: Retention of the Amendments of MCR 3.903, 3.925, and 3.944 and Additional Revision of MCR 3.944
The amendment of MCR 3.944 provides an exception to the requirement for courts to hold a detention hearing within 24 hours of a juvenile being taken into custody when a status offense violation requires a mental health or substance abuse interview.
Issued: 9/22/21
Effective: Immediately

ADM File No. 2021-12: Amendments of MCR 2.117, 3.708, 3.951, 6.005, 6.104, 6.445, 6.610, 6.625, 6.905, 6.907, 6.937, and 6.938
The amendments shift the responsibility for appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant in a criminal proceeding to the local funding unit’s appointing authority. The proposal was submitted by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, and intended to implement recently-approved Standard Five of the MIDC Standards.
Issued: 9/22/21
Effective: 1/1/22

ADM File No. 2021-14: Adoption of Administrative Order No. 2021-6
Issued: 9/23/21
Effective: 1/1/22

NEWS

Task Force on Forensic Science to Hold Remote Meeting, Hear Public Commentary
The next meeting of the Task Force on Forensic Science will take place Tuesday, September 28. Included: presentation about quality systems and forensic crime labs from Professor Brandon Garrett, Director of the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at the Duke University School of Law; and a public comment period.

Judges Association Names Judge Laura Baird Its 2021 Hilda Gage Award Recipient
During its annual conference, the Michigan Judges Association (MJA) recognized past president and retired Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Laura Baird as the recipient of its 2021 Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award—the second woman to receive the award.

Supreme Court Announces October Oral Arguments
The Michigan Supreme Court announced that oral arguments in 11 cases will be heard on Wednesday, October 6, and Thursday, October 7, 2021. The Court will convene the arguments at 9:30 a.m. with the justices and the attorneys for the parties participating remotely via Zoom.

Statement from Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack on the Passing of Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan Tukel
I knew Professor Tukel before I knew Judge Tukel.

Statement from Michigan Court of Appeals Chief Judge Christopher Murray on the Passing of Judge Jonathan Tukel
The Michigan Court of Appeals is profoundly saddened to learn about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Judge Jonathan Tukel, today.


At the Bar

NEWS

Judicial Vacancies—Court of Appeals, 1st District & Macomb County
Applications must be submitted electronically and received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021.

License Renewal Now Open for 2021-2022
It is time for all attorneys to renew their licenses through the State Bar of Michigan.

Judicial Vacancy—Court of Appeals, 1st District
Applications must be submitted electronically and received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, 2021.

Sign Up for the Clio Cloud Conference
Licensed attorneys in Michigan can receive a pass to the 9th annual Clio Cloud Conference at a reduced price through the State Bar of Michigan.


Links of Interest

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