MI HB5378

Expands the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to apply to unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts, or practices and creates a cause of action against companies engaging in such conduct.

Exempts methods, acts, or practices that are expressly permitted by statute, rule, or regulation of Michigan or the United States.

Exempts publishers, owners, agents, or employees of newspapers, periodicals, directories, radio or television stations, and other communications media from liability for publishing deceptive advertisements unless they knew or reasonably should have known of the false or misleading character or had direct financial interest in the advertised goods or services.

Exempts unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive practices made unlawful by the Banking Code of 1999, 1939 PA 3, the Motor Carrier Act of 1933, the Savings Bank Act of 1996, the Credit Union Act of 2003, and Chapter 20 of the Insurance Code of 1956.

Places the burden of proving exemptions or exceptions on the person claiming the exemption and defines "company" to include any person engaged in trade or commerce whose profession, occupation, conduct, or transactions are regulated by state or federal statute, rule, or regulation.