Bill > HB6307

This bill amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to establish formal procedures for the state's attorney general or local prosecuting attorneys to issue investigative demands—which are essentially official requests for information—before filing a formal lawsuit against a suspected violator. Under the new provisions, investigators who have reasonable cause to believe a law violation has occurred can formally require a person or business to testify under oath, answer written questions known as interrogatories, or produce physical documents and objects for inspection. The bill outlines the mandatory contents of these written demands, gives recipients the right to petition the Ingham County Circuit Court for a protective order to modify or set them aside, and permits prosecutors to seek court orders compelling compliance if a recipient refuses to cooperate. Furthermore, the legislation imposes a civil fine of up to $10,000 for anyone who intentionally destroys, conceals, or alters requested materials to evade the demand, while generally keeping all gathered evidence and testimony confidential until a formal enforcement action or lawsuit is actually filed in court.