The bill amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by updating Section 3, which outlines various unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive practices in trade or commerce. Key changes include the clarification of terms and the addition of new definitions to enhance consumer protection. For instance, the language has been modified to replace pronouns with more specific terms, such as changing "they" to "the goods or services" and "he or she" to "the person." Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that address misleading representations regarding the environmental claims of products, such as the definitions of "degradable" and "biodegradable," and establishes requirements for disclosures related to prizes offered in sales presentations.

Furthermore, the bill expands the scope of deceptive practices by including violations related to telephone solicitations and clarifying the conditions under which a consumer's Social Security number may be requested. It also allows the Attorney General to promulgate rules for implementation, ensuring that no new unfair trade practices are created beyond those already enumerated. However, it specifies that rules related to environmental marketing claims must not be promulgated to maintain national uniformity. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of Senate Bill No. 351.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 445.903
As Passed by the Senate: 445.903