Governor Rick Snyder this week signed legislation aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Michigan court system and enhancing responsiveness for certain complex cases.
The bills create two types of specialized courts.
The first provides for the establishment of business courts with jurisdiction over business and commercial cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000.
These create a more efficient system to handle business court cases across the state, the governor said.
Two other bills allow circuit and district courts to create supervised treatment programs for veterans suffering from mental illness or drug or alcohol dependency.
The legislation also requires the State Drug Treatment Court Advisory Committee to monitor the effectiveness of these programs and to include a circuit or district court judge who has presided over a veteran’s treatment court.
“These specialized courts address specific needs in our judicial system, streamlining the court process and maximizing efficiency,” Snyder said.
“Establishing business courts helps solve complex business cases and provides another important tool for ensuring a strong economic climate, while veterans treatment courts provide understanding, solution-based legal assistance to help veterans get back on their feet.”
The governor also into law:
• A bill that simplifies the process of correcting typographical and other small errors in deeds and mortgages. The bill allows the register of deeds or included parties to make necessary changes and quickens the correction process.
• A bill requiring courts to have a concurrent jurisdiction plan for sharing court resources. These plans create a more efficient court system by streamlining operations and reducing local court expenses. The bill now is P.A. 338.
• A bill calling for transportation service providers to conduct background checks before hiring individuals responsible for the transit of children, disabled citizens or the elderly. Fingerprints can be submitted to the Michigan Department of State Police for a criminal record check.
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