Bill Text: MI HB4918 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Consumer protection; unfair trade practices; veterans; prohibit pension poaching. Amends sec. 3 of 1976 PA 331 (MCL 445.903) & adds sec. 3k.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-08-15 - Assigned Pa 211'18 With Immediate Effect [HB4918 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HB4918-Engrossed.html
HB-4918, As Passed Senate, June 12, 2018
SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 4918
A bill to amend 1976 PA 331, entitled
"Michigan consumer protection act,"
by amending section 3 (MCL 445.903), as amended by 2010 PA 195, and
by adding section 3k.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 3. (1) Unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods,
acts, or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce are unlawful
and are defined as follows:
(a) Causing a probability of confusion or misunderstanding as
to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or
services.
(b) Using deceptive representations or deceptive designations
of geographic origin in connection with goods or services.
(c) Representing that goods or services have sponsorship,
approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or
quantities that they do not have or that a person has sponsorship,
approval, status, affiliation, or connection that he or she does
not have.
(d) Representing that goods are new if they are deteriorated,
altered, reconditioned, used, or secondhand.
(e) Representing that goods or services are of a particular
standard, quality, or grade, or that goods are of a particular
style or model, if they are of another.
(f) Disparaging the goods, services, business, or reputation
of another by false or misleading representation of fact.
(g) Advertising or representing goods or services with intent
not to dispose of those goods or services as advertised or
represented.
(h) Advertising goods or services with intent not to supply
reasonably expectable public demand, unless the advertisement
discloses a limitation of quantity in immediate conjunction with
the advertised goods or services.
(i) Making false or misleading statements of fact concerning
the reasons for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions.
(j) Representing that a part, replacement, or repair service
is needed when it is not.
(k) Representing to a party to whom goods or services are
supplied that the goods or services are being supplied in response
to a request made by or on behalf of the party, when they are not.
(l) Misrepresenting that because of some defect in a
consumer's home the health, safety, or lives of the consumer or his
or her family are in danger if the product or services are not
purchased, when in fact the defect does not exist or the product or
services would not remove the danger.
(m) Causing a probability of confusion or of misunderstanding
with respect to the authority of a salesperson, representative, or
agent to negotiate the final terms of a transaction.
(n) Causing a probability of confusion or of misunderstanding
as to the legal rights, obligations, or remedies of a party to a
transaction.
(o) Causing a probability of confusion or of misunderstanding
as to the terms or conditions of credit if credit is extended in a
transaction.
(p) Disclaiming or limiting the implied warranty of
merchantability and fitness for use, unless a disclaimer is clearly
and conspicuously disclosed.
(q) Representing or implying that the subject of a consumer
transaction will be provided promptly, or at a specified time, or
within a reasonable time, if the merchant knows or has reason to
know it will not be so provided.
(r) Representing that a consumer will receive goods or
services "free" or "without charge", or using words of similar
import in the representation, without clearly and conspicuously
disclosing with equal prominence in immediate conjunction with the
use of those words the conditions, terms, or prerequisites to the
use or retention of the goods or services advertised.
(s) Failing to reveal a material fact, the omission of which
tends to mislead or deceive the consumer, and which fact could not
reasonably be known by the consumer.
(t) Entering into a consumer transaction in which the consumer
waives or purports to waive a right, benefit, or immunity provided
by law, unless the waiver is clearly stated and the consumer has
specifically consented to it.
(u) Failing, in a consumer transaction that is rescinded,
canceled, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of
an agreement, advertisement, representation, or provision of law,
to promptly restore to the person or persons entitled to it a
deposit, down payment, or other payment, or in the case of property
traded in but not available, the greater of the agreed value or the
fair market value of the property, or to cancel within a specified
time or an otherwise reasonable time an acquired security interest.
(v) Taking or arranging for the consumer to sign an
acknowledgment, certificate, or other writing affirming acceptance,
delivery, compliance with a requirement of law, or other
performance, if the merchant knows or has reason to know that the
statement is not true.
(w) Representing that a consumer will receive a rebate,
discount, or other benefit as an inducement for entering into a
transaction, if the benefit is contingent on an event to occur
subsequent to the consummation of the transaction.
(x) Taking advantage of the consumer's inability reasonably to
protect his or her interests by reason of disability, illiteracy,
or inability to understand the language of an agreement presented
by the other party to the transaction who knows or reasonably
should know of the consumer's inability.
(y) Gross discrepancies between the oral representations of
the seller and the written agreement covering the same transaction
or failure of the other party to the transaction to provide the
promised benefits.
(z) Charging the consumer a price that is grossly in excess of
the price at which similar property or services are sold.
(aa) Causing coercion and duress as the result of the time and
nature of a sales presentation.
(bb) Making a representation of fact or statement of fact
material to the transaction such that a person reasonably believes
the represented or suggested state of affairs to be other than it
actually is.
(cc) Failing to reveal facts that are material to the
transaction in light of representations of fact made in a positive
manner.
(dd) Subject to subdivision (ee), representations by the
manufacturer of a product or package that the product or package is
1 or more of the following:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), recycled,
recyclable, degradable, or is of a certain recycled content, in
violation of guides for the use of environmental marketing claims,
16 CFR part 260.
(ii) For container holding devices regulated under part 163 of
the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA
451, MCL 324.16301 to 324.16303, representations by a manufacturer
that the container holding device is degradable contrary to the
definition provided in that act.
(ee) Representing that a product or package is degradable,
biodegradable, or photodegradable unless it can be substantiated by
evidence that the product or package will completely decompose into
elements found in nature within a reasonably short period of time
after consumers use the product and dispose of the product or the
package in a landfill or composting facility, as appropriate.
(ff) Offering a consumer a prize if in order to claim the
prize the consumer is required to submit to a sales presentation,
unless a written disclosure is given to the consumer at the time
the consumer is notified of the prize and the written disclosure
meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Is written or printed in a bold type that is not smaller
than 10-point.
(ii) Fully describes the prize, including its cash value, won
by the consumer.
(iii) Contains all the terms and conditions for claiming the
prize, including a statement that the consumer is required to
submit to a sales presentation.
(iv) Fully describes the product, real estate, investment,
service, membership, or other item that is or will be offered for
sale, including the price of the least expensive item and the most
expensive item.
(gg) Violating 1971 PA 227, MCL 445.111 to 445.117, in
connection with a home solicitation sale or telephone solicitation,
including, but not limited to, having an independent courier
service or other third party pick up a consumer's payment on a home
solicitation sale during the period the consumer is entitled to
cancel the sale.
(hh) Except as provided in subsection (3), requiring a
consumer
to disclose his or her social security Social Security
number as a condition to selling or leasing goods or providing a
service to the consumer, unless any of the following apply:
(i) The selling, leasing, providing, terms of payment, or
transaction includes an application for or an extension of credit
to the consumer.
(ii) The disclosure is required or authorized by applicable
state or federal statute, rule, or regulation.
(iii) The disclosure is requested by a person to obtain a
consumer report for a permissible purpose described in section 604
of the fair credit reporting act, 15 USC 1681b.
(iv) The disclosure is requested by a landlord, lessor, or
property manager to obtain a background check of the individual in
conjunction with the rent or leasing of real property.
(v) The disclosure is requested from an individual to effect,
administer or enforce a specific telephonic or other electronic
consumer transaction that is not made in person but is requested or
authorized by the individual if it is to be used solely to confirm
the identity of the individual through a fraud prevention service
database. The consumer good or service shall still be provided to
the consumer upon verification of his or her identity if he or she
refuses
to provide his or her social security Social Security
number but provides other information or documentation that can be
used by the person to verify his or her identity. The person may
inform the consumer that verification through other means than use
of
the social security Social
Security number may cause a delay in
providing the service or good to the consumer.
(ii) If a credit card or debit card is used for payment in a
consumer transaction, issuing or delivering a receipt to the
consumer that displays any part of the expiration date of the card
or more than the last 4 digits of the consumer's account number.
This subdivision does not apply if the only receipt issued in a
consumer transaction is a credit card or debit card receipt on
which the account number or expiration date is handwritten,
mechanically imprinted, or photocopied. This subdivision applies to
any consumer transaction that occurs on or after March 1, 2005,
except that if a credit or debit card receipt is printed in a
consumer transaction by an electronic device, this subdivision
applies to any consumer transaction that occurs using that device
only after 1 of the following dates, as applicable:
(i) If the electronic device is placed in service after March
1, 2005, July 1, 2005 or the date the device is placed in service,
whichever is later.
(ii) If the electronic device is in service on or before March
1, 2005, July 1, 2006.
(jj) Violating section 11 of the identity theft protection
act, 2004 PA 452, MCL 445.71.
(kk) Advertising or conducting a live musical performance or
production in this state through the use of a false, deceptive, or
misleading affiliation, connection, or association between a
performing group and a recording group. This subdivision does not
apply if any of the following are met:
(i) The performing group is the authorized registrant and
owner of a federal service mark for that group registered in the
United
States patent Patent and trademark office.Trademark Office.
(ii) At least 1 member of the performing group was a member of
the recording group and has a legal right to use the recording
group's name, by virtue of use or operation under the recording
group's name without having abandoned the name or affiliation with
the recording group.
(iii) The live musical performance or production is identified
in all advertising and promotion as a salute or tribute and the
name of the vocal or instrumental group performing is not so
closely related or similar to that used by the recording group that
it would tend to confuse or mislead the public.
(iv) The advertising does not relate to a live musical
performance or production taking place in this state.
(v) The performance or production is expressly authorized by
the recording group.
(ll) Violating section 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, or 3i, or 3k.
(2) The attorney general may promulgate rules to implement
this act under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA
306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328. The rules shall not create an additional
unfair trade practice not already enumerated by this section.
However, to assure national uniformity, rules shall not be
promulgated to implement subsection (1)(dd) or (ee).
(3) Subsection (1)(hh) does not apply to either of the
following:
(a) Providing a service related to the administration of
health-related or dental-related benefits or services to patients,
including provider contracting or credentialing. This subdivision
is intended to limit the application of subsection (1)(hh) and is
not intended to imply that this act would otherwise apply to
health-related or dental-related benefits.
(b) An employer providing benefits or services to an employee.
Sec. 3k. (1) A person that is engaged in trade or commerce
shall not engage in any of the following acts or practices:
(a) Providing, or offering to provide, a veterans' benefit
service to a veteran or family member of a veteran unless the
person is any of the following:
(i) Employed by a government agency that is authorized to
provide the veterans' benefit service.
(ii) An accredited individual under the federal laws and
regulations applicable to the administration of veterans' benefits.
(iii) An employee or authorized representative of a recognized
veterans' services organization.
(b) Receiving compensation for providing or offering to
provide a veterans' benefit service to a veteran or family member
of a veteran unless all of the following are met:
(i) The person is permitted to receive compensation for
providing or offering to provide that service to the veteran or
family member under the federal laws and regulations applicable to
the administration of veterans' benefits.
(ii) Before providing or offering to provide that service, the
person discloses all of the following to the veteran or family
member:
(A) That the person is not affiliated with a government agency
or recognized veterans' services organization.
(B) If applicable, that the veterans' benefit service is
available free of charge from a government agency or recognized
veterans' services organization.
(C) That the veteran may qualify for benefits other than or in
addition to the benefits the veteran or family member may obtain if
the person is engaged to provide the veterans' benefit service.
(D) That receipt of a certain level of veterans' benefits is
not guaranteed if the person is engaged to provide the veterans'
benefit service.
(c) Using financial or other personal information gathered for
insurance or other purposes in providing or offering to provide a
veterans' benefit service, unless the requirements of this section
are met.
(d) Receiving compensation for referring a veteran or a family
member of a veteran to an individual who is accredited by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(e) Representing, either directly or by implication, either
orally or in writing, that the receipt of a certain level of
veterans' benefits is guaranteed.
(2) A person engaged in trade or commerce shall not advertise
or promote any event, presentation, seminar, workshop, or other
public gathering regarding veterans' pension or medical benefits or
entitlements that does not include the following disclosure: "This
event is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Michigan Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, or any
other congressionally chartered or recognized organization of
honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United
States or any of their auxiliaries. Products or services that may
be discussed at this event are not necessarily endorsed by those
organizations. You may qualify for benefits other than or in
addition to the benefits discussed at this event.".
(3) All of the following apply to the disclosure required
under subsection (2):
(a) The disclosure must be in the same type size and font as
the term "veteran" or any variation of that term as used in the
event advertisement or promotional materials.
(b) The disclosure must be disseminated, both orally and in
writing, at the beginning of any event, presentation, seminar,
workshop, or other public gathering regarding veterans' benefits or
entitlements.
(c) The disclosure does not apply if the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs, the department of military and
veterans affairs, the Michigan veterans affairs agency, or any
other congressionally chartered or recognized organization of
honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United
States or any of their auxiliaries have granted written permission
to the advertiser or promoter for the use of its name, symbol, or
insignia to advertise or promote events, presentations, seminars,
workshops, or other public gatherings described in this subsection.
The disclosure also does not apply if the event, presentation,
seminar, workshop, or gathering is part of an accredited continuing
legal education course.
(4) This section does not apply to officers, employees, or
volunteers of this state, of any county, city, or other political
subdivision of this state, or of a federal agency of the United
States, who are acting in their official capacity.
(5) As used in this section:
(a) "Compensation" means money, property, or anything else of
value, including, but not limited to, exclusive arrangements or
agreements for the provision of services or the purchase of
products.
(b) "Recognized veterans' services organization" means a
veterans' services organization that is recognized under the
federal laws and regulations applicable to the administration of
veterans' benefits.
(c) "Veterans' benefit service" means any of the following:
(i) The preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim
affecting an individual who has filed or has expressed an intention
to file an application for veteran, dependent, or survivor pension
or medical benefits under laws administered by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs or the department of military and
veterans affairs pertaining to veterans, dependents, and survivors.
(ii) Advice or representation concerning the preparation,
presentation, or prosecution of a claim described in subparagraph
(i).
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.
