LAWS

The Justice Department is sending out more than $200 million to help states and the District of Columbia administer “red-flag laws” and other crisis-intervention programs.

Starting next month, drivers who play music too loud in Florida can face a fine of up to $114.

Michigan passed new fireworks laws a few years back -- so let’s just brush up on what you need to know from LARA:

A Michigan bill that would allow 17-year-olds to serve alcohol at bars and restaurants has passed both chambers of the Michigan Legislature, and now heads to the desk of the governor.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law a measure expanding access to a Michigan child abuse registry, after seven years of pushing by the mother of a victim of abuse at the hands of a caregiver with previous convictions.

A Democratic Michigan state senator whose passionate Senate Floor speech went viral last week is saying that her Republican colleagues are creating problems that don’t exist in an effort to rile up their supporters and avoid addressing “real issues.”

New laws allow the Michigan Parole Board to delay reviews of killers and other violent offenders so they occur every five years instead of every one or two years.

A snowmobile driven by state employees is a motor vehicle under Michigan law.

We received this traffic question a couple of times through our 4YI form, where you can ask us anything about Michigan and/or Metro Detroit and we will do our best to get back with an answer(s).

The right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike for decades -- a debate that has essentially reached a boiling point today, given a new Texas law and forthcoming Supreme Court ruling that could impact national abortion regulations.

The right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike for decades -- a debate that has essentially reached a boiling point today, given a new Texas law and forthcoming Supreme Court ruling that could impact national abortion regulations.

Michigan passed new fireworks laws a few years back -- so let’s just brush up on what you need to know from LARA:

The bills introduced in the Michigan Senate aim to prevent a dangerous dog attack before it happens.

View of the Detroit River on Oct. 10, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.DETROIT – Michigan lawmakers have re-introduced legislation intended to protect waterways and public health by enhancing accountability of private dock owners. Last year, the Defenders exposed the unpermitted riverfront business going on at Revere Dock, which ultimately resulted in a dock collapse, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River. READ: Seawall damage puts Detroit River at risk, city issues tickets that are not being paidAdAbout a month after the Revere Dock collapse, another dock collapsed in St. Clair County. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor). Last year, the Defenders exposed the unpermitted riverfront business going on at Revere Dock, which ultimately resulted in a dock collapse, spilling contaminated soil into the Detroit River.

LANSING, Mich. – A woman who survived human trafficking is sharing her story with lawmakers in Lansing, pushing for laws to be changed to protect others. READ: Metro Detroit human trafficking survivor faced charges and is now exposing major flaw in criminal systemLeigh was 23 years old when she was held in a Metro Detroit motel and trafficked for five days. READ: The Joseph Project works to connect human trafficking survivors with pro bono legal servicesHer case is a common one, according to a recent study by the Polaris Project. Nearly 91 percent of human trafficking survivor respondents reported having been arrested. Besides working to prevent human trafficking victims from being charged with a crime, there is a huge need for housing services for trafficking victims.

Gretchen Whitmer has signed a 20-bill package that aims to shift away from using jail and arrests as punishment for traffic offenses unless someone is a danger to the public. The bipartisan package of criminal justice reform bills resulted from recommendations by the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration, according to the state. “I’m extraordinarily proud of our collective work over the last two years to understand and improve the criminal justice system,” Lt. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs a 20-bill package aiming to reshape penalties for traffic offenses on Jan. 4, 2020. The bill package aims to shift people away from jail unless they are a danger to the public.

One bill focuses on keeping those with minor violations, such as failure to appear in court, out of jail by eliminating mandatory minimum sentencing in certain cases. The repercussions for failing to appear are a heavy burden for many, said Sen. Sylvia Santana, who sponsored the legislation. The Legislature has heard for two years from jail officials and others involved in criminal justice about inefficiencies and shortcomings. The legislation would require a court to promptly notify the state health department when a juvenile is taken into custody for violating certain court orders. Courts would be required to hold a hearing to determine whether a juvenile violated a court order and where to place the juvenile.

Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers announced legislation to reduce professional licensure barriers for veterans ahead of Veterans Day. The legislation supports military personnel, veterans and their families by reducing barriers to professional licensure. “This is a meaningful step we can take to honor the many sacrifices of our military families,” Hawks said. There’s no reason why our laws can’t be tailored to reflect the unique needs of military service members, veterans and their families. “These reforms will support our military families, who have sacrificed so much to protect us, and the communities in which they live.”“I am in the Army Reserves.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers are set to announce “bipartisan legislation” ahead of Veterans Day. READ: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers pass legislation to reduce professional licensure barriers for veteransA press conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. You can watch live in the stream posted above. Whitmer will be joined by Sen. Adam Hollier, Sen. John Bizon, Rep. Sarah Anthony, Rep. Andrea Schroeder, LARA Director Orlene Hawks, MVAA Director Zaneta Adams, Adjutant General DMVA Director Major General Paul D. Rogers and Lt. Col. Karen Sims.

House Bill 5334 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-10 in Warren Township in Midland County in honor of Corporal Casey P. Zylman. Senate Bill 132 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-12 in Lenawee County in honor of Michigan State Trooper Rodger M. Adams. Senate Bill 432 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to revise an exemption of certain property from taxes collected under the General Property Tax Act. Senate Bill 1066 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to transfer and deposit $37.1 million from the Michigan Film Promotion Fund to the state’s general fund for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20. The bills would have amended the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to make it easier and cheaper for for-profit property finders to get access to Michigander’s private data.

Gretchen Whitmer signed a multiple bill package into law that both Democrats and Republicans have been working on for the last year in the Legislature. Under the Michigan Clean Slate Bills the state will be the first in the nation to have an automatic expungement process. This will help people with minor crime convictions or former marijuana convictions and some traffic offenses. Under the bill package the state will set up a computer system to process those automatic expungements. The bills target minor crimes, but not major felonies or traffic offenses like Driving Under the Influence incidents.

LANSING, Mich. In a virtual campaign event, Sen. Gary Peters (D) touted recent proposals in the Senate on policing reform. Wendell Anthony and former Attorney General Eric Holder in the discussion which lasted just over an hour. Peters also criticized Senate Republicans for not passing what he considered meaningful reforms. The Republicans did not put forward the kind of concrete action that we need to take right now, he said. In a statement Peters opponent, John James called the event PR.Gary Peters doesnt speak for black people.

Michigans Fireworks Safety Act of 2011 (Public Act 256) was amended in December 2018, giving local government entities villages, townships, and cities the right to restrict the days and times for their residents to use consumer fireworks by enacting a local ordinance. In Michigan, consumer fireworks must meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. It is illegal to ignite fireworks on public property (including streets and sidewalks), school property, church property, or another persons property without their express permission. Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks. NEVER:Buy fireworks packaged in brown paper or use unlabeled fireworks they are for professional use only.