Bill > HB5516

This bill, known as the "Foreign Law Limitation Act," aims to restrict the application and enforcement of foreign laws within this state, defining "foreign law" as any legal code or system originating outside of a U.S. state or territory, including those from international or religious organizations, but excluding U.S. federal law and the laws of other U.S. states and territories. The core provision states that courts, arbitrators, or administrative bodies cannot apply or enforce foreign law if doing so would violate a "constitutional right," which refers to rights protected by the U.S. or state constitutions, for any resident of this state or anyone whose interests would be negatively affected. If a foreign law provision in an agreement or contract would violate such a right, the body must refuse to enforce it, modify it to remove the violation, or void it if modification isn't possible without fundamentally changing the agreement's intent, provided the violation is actual or foreseeable. The bill also mandates that when considering foreign law, these bodies must assess if it impairs constitutional rights, whether parties knowingly agreed to it without duress, and if it conflicts with this state's public policy against discrimination based on protected characteristics. This act does not apply to agreements made before its effective date and does not override existing laws that already prohibit foreign law enforcement or mandate the application of U.S. federal or state laws.

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https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2026-HB-5516