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HB 5267

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY CODE -- NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

The bill requires the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Ombudsman to notify key parties within 10 business days when investigating or declining to investigate complaints or abuse reports

03/20/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5267

Summary — HB 5267 (2025)

Title: Veterans: Michigan veterans' facility ombudsman; require notification after deciding to investigate a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a veterans' facility. (Amends 2016 PA 198 — MCL 4.771 et seq.; amends secs. 1, 7, 12 & 13)

Status: Introduced (filed March 14, 2025; bill document reproduced Nov 12, 2025). Referred to Committee on Government Operations. Tie-bar with HB 5263, HB 5268, HB 5269 (and one additional companion bill listed).

Purpose / Intent

The bill strengthens procedural requirements and reporting transparency for the Office of the Michigan Veterans' Facility Ombudsman. It clarifies definitions, requires prompt written notifications when the ombudsman decides to investigate complaints or abuse reports, expands mandatory semiannual reporting content, and reinforces anti‑retaliation and compliance provisions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (amends Sec. 1, MCL 4.771):

    • Broadens/clarifies who counts as a “complainant” (resident veteran, family member, legal guardian, power of attorney, or legislator).
    • Clarifies “resident veteran,” references applicable definitions in other veterans’ facility law, and identifies “report of abuse” by cross‑reference to the Social Welfare Act (MCL 400.11).

  • Notification requirement (amends Sec. 7, MCL 4.777):

    • If the ombudsman receives a complaint (section 4(1)) or a report of abuse (section 4(2)) and decides to investigate, the ombudsman must notify, within 10 business days:
    • the complainant;
    • the resident veteran(s) affected;
    • the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; and
    • for reports of abuse, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
    • If the ombudsman declines to investigate, the ombudsman must notify the complainant in writing within 10 business days and inform affected resident veterans of the reasons.

  • Semiannual reporting (amends Sec. 12, MCL 4.782):

    • Semiannual reports to the legislative council, the board of managers, and the legislature must include, for each Michigan veterans’ facility (previous 6 months at minimum):
    • number of complaints received;
    • breakdown of complaints by categories (administrative acts, statutes/rules, significant health issues, significant safety issues, reports of abuse);
    • number of complaints leading to investigations;
    • number of investigations initiated;
    • number of hearings; and
    • number of reports of findings issued.

  • Protections and compliance (amends Sec. 13, MCL 4.783):

    • Prohibits penalizing a resident veteran for filing/communicating complaints or reports of abuse or for cooperating with the ombudsman.
    • Prohibits persons, facilities, or the department from hindering lawful actions of the ombudsman or willfully refusing to comply with lawful demands of the office.

Who is affected

  • Resident veterans and residents of Michigan veterans’ facilities (and their families/representatives).
  • Office of the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Ombudsman (new notification and reporting tasks).
  • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (receive timely notifications).
  • Facility operators, boards of managers, and staff (subject to nondiscrimination/anti‑retaliation and compliance obligations).
  • Legislature and legislative council (receive expanded semiannual data).

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Notifications: required within 10 business days after deciding to investigate or declining.
  • Semiannual reporting: covers preceding 6 months; submitted to legislative council, board of managers, and legislature.
  • Conditional enactment: the bill contains a tie‑bar — it does not take effect unless related companion bills (HB 5263, HB 5268, HB 5269, and a fourth listed bill) are enacted into law.

Potential impact

  • Improves timeliness and transparency of ombudsman actions and oversight.
  • Gives LARA earlier awareness of abuse investigations.
  • Increases data available to legislators and stakeholders to monitor complaints, investigations, and systemic issues.
  • May increase administrative workload for the ombudsman and facilities due to notification and reporting requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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