Bill > HB6419

This bill modifies the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA)—a state law designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices—by carving out a specific exception to existing exemptions. Currently, the MCPA generally does not apply to certain businesses and transactions that are already regulated by other specific state or federal laws, such as banks, utilities, insurance companies, and credit unions. This bill ensures that those general exemptions will no longer apply to debt collectors and collection agencies, which are regulated under article 9 of the state's occupational code, meaning consumers will be able to take legal action against them under the consumer protection act for unfair collection practices. Furthermore, the bill includes a "tie bar" provision, which is a common legislative mechanism meaning this bill cannot officially become law unless a related companion bill, House Bill 6418, is also enacted.