Michigan residents longing for a firmer crackdown on predatory business practices may finally see a ray of hope as the State Senate passes a significant bill aimed at strengthening consumer protections. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is leading the charge, celebrating the Senate's recent approval of Senate Bill 1022—a piece of legislation set to revive the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) by closing loopholes that currently leave consumers exposed to questionable commercial tactics. In a recent report by the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Nessel remarks that this move by the Senate represents a critical step toward safeguarding the financial welfare of Michigan's citizens.

In recent history, cases like Smith v. Globe Life Ins. Co. and Liss v. Lewiston-Richards, Inc. have left Attorney General Nessel’s office powerless to combat alleged illegal exploits by businesses that are otherwise governed and authorized by state or federal entities. The AG's office receives over 10,000 consumer complaints annually, but due to the current statutory interpretations, many of these grievances have remained unaddressed. Senate Bill 1022 looks to change this narrative by empowering the Department of Attorney General with investigative authority over these previously untouchable entities. “My Consumer Protection Team constantly fields calls from Michiganders who have fallen victim to predatory business practices,” Nessel stated, as per the Michigan Department of Attorney General, emphasizing the ubiquity of the issue at hand.

The proposed legislation not only seeks to broaden the transaction types susceptible to the MCPA but also aims to heighten the consequences for businesses that exploit elderly and vulnerable adults. The enhanced accountability could mark a new era of consumer protection in Michigan—one where the restricted reach of justice might finally extend to those who attempt to skirt its grasp behind a veil of regulatory bureaucracy. Back in October, as detailed by the state's report, Attorney General Nessel actively testified in favor of this transformative bill and also initiated a probe into insulin maker Eli Lilly while urging the Michigan Supreme Court to reassess past rulings that limit the Department’s enforcement capabilities.