AG Nessel Launches Updated Elder Abuse Reporting Form

AG Nessel Launches Updated Elder Abuse Reporting Form

by | Oct 9, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 9, 2023

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Launches Updated Elder Abuse Reporting Form, Law Enforcement Training Series

LANSING– Today, the Department of Attorney General, in conjunction with the Elder Abuse Task Force (EATF) launched an updated webform for residents to report suspected incidents of elder abuse, patient abuse and exploitation.

“I created the Elder Abuse Task Force in 2019 to bring together a comprehensive group of experts to ensure our elderly and vulnerable populations are protected from abuse,” said Nessel. “Part of that work is ensuring the tools we provide to the public, like this form, are accessible, easy to complete, and up to date.”

The updated form includes sections to identify:

  • The person being abused or in need of assistance;
  • The person alleged to be responsible for the abuse;
  • If the abuse has been previously reported to other agencies; and
  • Details of the abuse.

The complaints are then investigated by the Department’s Financial Crimes or Health Care Fraud Division, depending on the details of the allegation.

The Financial Crimes Division Chief is Assistant Attorney General Scott Teter who is also the head of the EATF. The Health Care Fraud Division is led by Assistant Attorney General David Tanay and oversees the Department’s Sentinel Project.

The Sentinel Project was launched in 2021 and uses specially trained staff to examine long-term care facilities for evidence of abuse or neglect through unannounced visits, which will be determined by performance metrics, complaints and other data.

“The Department of Attorney General is dedicated to detecting and addressing any neglect or abuse of loved ones residing at home or in long-term care facilities. Instances of substandard care must be eliminated, and The Sentinel Project helps accomplish that goal,” Nessel continued.

The Sentinel Project Team recently met with the Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and other county leaders to discuss how state and county law enforcement agencies can work together to better train and investigate allegations of elder abuse in long-term care facilities. The Sentinel Project is launching a series of law enforcement trainings across the state, beginning this Thursday, October 12th in Ingham County.

Attorney General Nessel and the EATF are working with the legislature on a series of bills that will help strengthen guardrails to protect the elderly. The legislation, House Bills 4909-4912 and 5047, will:

  • Require a judge to justify on the record why a family member who is willing to serve as a guardian is not suitable. While the law already provides that family members have priority, the modification serves as an additional safeguard to ensure family members get due consideration;
  • Require guardian and conservator certification and visitation frequency;
  • Set standards for the Guardian ad Litem report to the court;
  • Protect personal items of sentimental value from being discarded;
  • Establish a right to attorney throughout the proceedings;
  • Establish additional protections for individuals before removing them from their homes;
  • Improve the basic standard for medical testimony;
  • Create an Office of State Guardian to oversee and certify guardians, and more.

Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations and more than 100 individuals in the public, private and nonprofit sections – all working together to combat elder abuse.

Achievements include the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigation by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. Additionally, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was signed into law in 2021 to ensure mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation. Both were part of the Task Force’s first set of initiatives.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse, and that less than half of all instances are reported to authorities. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.
Nearly $100 Million to Support Vibrant Communities

Nearly $100 Million to Support Vibrant Communities

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Awards Funding to Support Vibrant Communities and Encourage Population Growth, nearly $100 Million Awarded

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in announcing approval of $99.2 million in grant funding for projects across Michigan’s 10 prosperity regions through the Revitalization and Placemaking Program (RAP 2.0).

 

“Today’s grants underscore our commitment to the people, places, and projects that are integral to the growth of Michigan’s economy,” said Governor Whitmer. “These investments will help create vibrant places that attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michiganders and our communities. I will work with anyone and do anything to continue getting things done for our state.”

 

“When state and local partnerships are strong, we are able to do some incredible things for the people of Michigan,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “With this infusion of dollars directly into our communities, our neighborhoods will become even more attractive places for folks to move to and put down roots. I’m proud that we were able to deliver these funds that will create meaningful change in our state. There’s momentum in Michigan and we’re going to keep working hand-in-hand with partners across the state to bring new energy and attention where it’s needed.”

 

“Helping build safe and strong communities is a priority for House Democrats,” said Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit).  “These investments represent opportunity and much needed revitalization to help grow our local communities and strengthen our neighborhoods. The state’s partnership with local communities to repurpose buildings, improve local infrastructure and breathe new life into downtowns helps build a stronger Michigan.”

 

“I was proud to vote for new laws like the American Rescue Plan that are helping to invest in our communities. This federal grant funding will help make mid-Michigan an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08). “In Congress, I will continue working with Governor Whitmer to grow our state’s economy and support Michigan.”

 

RAP 2.0 is deploying $100 million in state funding to address the COVID-19 impacts and community revitalization needs in Michigan communities to invest in projects that enable population and tax revenue growth through rehabilitation of vacant and blighted buildings and historic structures, rehabilitation and development of vacant properties, and development of permanent place-based infrastructure associated with social zones and traditional downtowns, outdoor dining, and place-based public spaces.

 

The original RAP program awarded $83.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars in September 2022. This second iteration of the impactful program, RAP 2.0, received an appropriation of $100 million in the budget supplemental SB 7 signed by Gov. Whitmer in February 2023.

 

Administered by MEDC, this program provides access to real estate and place-based infrastructure development gap financing in the form of grants of up to $5 million per project for real estate rehabilitation and development, grants of up to $1 million for public space place-based infrastructure per project, and grants of up to $20 million to local or regional partners who develop a subgrant program.

 

With the RAP 2.0 Program, the MEDC partners with local communities to support community revitalization needs across Michigan by investing in projects that promote population and tax revenue growth. These investments will help create the environment necessary to attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michigan citizens and communities that make the state a better place to live.

 

The range of projects awarded across the state highlights the importance of placemaking in supporting the growth and vibrancy of Michigan’s communities.

 

Today’s grants were allocated in three categories:

 

  • Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure RAP Awards – $11,868,415 awarded to 19 communities around Michigan for infrastructure improvements, public facility enhancements, downtown improvements, and more;
  • Real Estate Development Project RAP Awards – $39,052,745 awarded to 18 development projects across both peninsulas;
  • Subgrant Program RAP Awards – $48,287,830 awarded to seven local economic development organizations/units of government for different community development projects around the state.

 

Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure Awards:

Municipality

Applicant

Amount

Algonac

City of Algonac

$400,000

Auburn Hills

City of Auburn Hills

$450,000

Bay City

The Jefferson Project

$687,358

Cadillac

Munger Ventures LLC

$542,117

Charlevoix

City of East Jordan

$300,000

Eastpointe

City of Eastpointe

$1,000,000

Elk Rapids

Village of Elk Rapids

$485,000

Escanaba

City of Escanaba

$330,000

Lake City

City of Lake City

$935,000

 

 

Marquette

City of Marquette

 

$583,750

Marshall

City of Marshall

$1,000,000

New Buffalo

City of New Buffalo

$1,000,000

Owosso

City of Owosso DDA/Owosso Main Street

$300,000

St. Johns

Briggs District Library

$550,000

Thompsonville

Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project

$346,200

Traverse City

TART Trails

$500,000

Wayne

City of Wayne

$458,990

West Branch

Township of West Branch

$1,000,000

Westland

City of Westland

$1,000,000

 

Total Public Space Place-Based: $11,868,415

 

 

RAP Grants 1

 

East Ludington Streetscape project, Escanaba

 

Among the Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure Project awardees is the City of Escanaba, which will receive $330,000 for the East Ludington Streetscape project.

 

“Escanaba is making a huge effort to update our infrastructure, to revitalize our Downtown, and to work together between local departments and state agencies. This is a really exciting opportunity to coordinate efforts and springboard further developments throughout Downtown,” said Craig Woerpel, Escanaba DDA Director.

 

Real Estate Development Project Awards: 

Municipality

Applicant

Amount

Bad Axe

The Huron County Community Foundation

$500,000

Cadillac

DKD Development, LLC

$2,700,000

Chelsea

Chelsea Rockwell LLC

$1,962,170

Ecorse

Development Partners, Inc

$5,000,000

Flint

Communities First, Inc.

$1,284,451

Flint

Uptown Reinvestment Corporation

$860,759

 
Legislation to allow electronic transfer of vehicle titles

Legislation to allow electronic transfer of vehicle titles

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Regional News

Secretary Benson banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 3, 2023

Contact: Cheri Hardmon

(517) 643-7236

 

Secretary Benson testifies in support of legislation to allow electronic transfer of vehicle titles

SB 533 would improve choices, expand options for Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson testified today before the Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to urge legislators to pass SB 533, a bill that would permit the electronic transfer of titles or interest in vehicles.

 

“Since taking office as Secretary of State, I have made it a priority to provide residents with convenient options that allow them to complete their transactions without needing to visit a branch office,” Secretary Benson said. “The Michigan Department of State has made great strides toward that goal. If passed, this bill would improve our department’s ability to serve the people of Michigan by giving them a faster online option for transferring their vehicle titles.”

 

  • Senate Bill 533 would permit the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) to establish a secure electronic system to bring private sellers and buyers together online to conduct their transaction, saving them time and a branch visit.
  • The bill would also allow MDOS to issue buyers an electronic title instead of a paper one, like the department does today through the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system.

 

In March 2021, Michigan joined over a dozen other states in allowing for the electronic exchange of lien and title information with lienholders in place of a paper certificate of title, when a vehicle purchase is financed, increasing both security and efficiency of MDOS transactions.

In the last fiscal year ending Sept. 30, staff in Secretary of State offices across the state completed more than 930,000 of these private party title transfers for residents.

 

Secretary Benson updated the committee on other customer service improvements made by the department under her leadership. Since January 2019, MDOS has:

 

  • Doubled the number of services available online
  • Tripled the number of services available at self-service stations—and offered them in multiple languages
  • Increased the amount of transactions customers complete without an office visit from 28% to 60%

 

“By letting people conduct their business with our department outside of the branch, we have eliminated hours-long waits,” Benson said. “Secretary of State customers have taken notice. Google reviews, which used to average 2.5 stars out of 5, now average over 4 stars.”

 

 

# # #

Secretary testifiesSecretary of State Jocelyn Benson testifies on legislation during a Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing on Oct. 3, 2023 in Lansing.
Ten Main Street Communities Launch New Online Marketplace

Ten Main Street Communities Launch New Online Marketplace

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Regional News

Ten Main Street Oakland County Communities Launch New Online Marketplace to Support Downtown Small Businesses

Post Date:10/03/2023 11:00 AM

Pontiac, Mich. – Ten Main Street Oakland County communities are collaborating to help their downtown small businesses gain e-commerce capabilities with the launch of ShopOCMainStreets.com, the first website of its kind in Michigan. This platform allows shoppers to complete e-commerce transactions securely with one checkout process. Nearly 70 downtown businesses have already loaded their products to the new site.

“Coming out of the COVID pandemic, we all knew that our downtown businesses needed to expand into e-commerce,” said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director for Downtown Rochester. “Being part of Main Street Oakland County and the national network that provides, we were connected to Member Marketplace, Inc. They build and maintain the website, provide technical support to the participating small businesses, and help customers visiting the site.”

Products include apparel and accessories, bath and beauty, books, collectibles and antiques, food and beverage, health and wellness, home and garden, pet supplies and more. Participating MSOC downtowns are Franklin, Highland, Holly, Lake Orion, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester and South Lyon.

“More communities and businesses will be added in the coming months,” said Kelly Westbrook, DDA executive director for Oxford. “The participating MSOC communities’ downtown businesses will be able to affordably sell online through one website—marketing together as a localized group.”

Participating downtowns will also be able to showcase their downtown on the site with an individual landing page to increase visibility and visitors. Small businesses already selling online can add the marketplace as an additional selling channel. Businesses with a Shopify or Square website can sync and integrate their shops.

$49.5 Million Settlement with Blackbaud for Data Breach

$49.5 Million Settlement with Blackbaud for Data Breach

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 5, 2023

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Announces $49.5 Million Multistate Settlement with Blackbaud for Data Breach Impacting Thousands of Nonprofits, Millions of Consumers

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Michigan, along with 49 other attorneys general, has reached a settlement with software company Blackbaud for its deficient data security practices and response to a 2020 ransomware event that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers across the United States. Under the settlement, Blackbaud has agreed to overhaul its data security and breach notification practices and make a $49.5 million payment to states. Michigan will receive $1,150,595 from the settlement.

Blackbaud provides software to various nonprofit organizations, including charities, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, healthcare organizations, religious organizations, and cultural organizations. Blackbaud’s customers use its software to connect with donors and manage data about their constituents, including contact and demographic information, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial information, employment and wealth information, donation history, and protected health information. This type of highly sensitive information was exposed during the 2020 data breach, which impacted over 13,000 Blackbaud customers and their respective consumer constituents.

“Companies that have access to our data have an obligation to provide security measures capable of resisting cyberattacks that may expose consumers’ most personal information,” said Nessel. “This settlement imposes new regulations on Blackbaud that will better secure its customer data and ensure that customers are notified of future breaches in a timely manner. Consumers should take precautions to protect their personal information, and this financial settlement will remind Blackbaud that prioritizing profits over customer data security can be a costly way to do business.”

This settlement resolves allegations by the attorneys general that Blackbaud violated state consumer protection laws, breach notification laws, and HIPAA by failing to implement reasonable data security and remediate known security gaps, which allowed unauthorized persons to gain access to Blackbaud’s network. Blackbaud then failed to provide its customers with timely, complete, or accurate information regarding the breach, as required by law. As a result of Blackbaud’s actions, notification to the consumers whose personal information was exposed was significantly delayed or never occurred at all insofar as Blackbaud downplayed the incident and led its customers to believe that notification was not required.

Under the settlement, Blackbaud has agreed to strengthen its data security and breach notification practices going forward, including:

  • Prohibition against misrepresentations related to the processing, storing, and safeguarding of personal information; the likelihood that personal information affected by a security incident may be subject to further disclosure or misuse; and breach notification requirements under state law and HIPAA.
  • Implementation and maintenance of incident and breach response plans to prepare for and more appropriately respond to future security incidents and breaches.
  • Breach notification provisions that require Blackbaud to provide appropriate assistance to its customers and support customers’ compliance with applicable notification requirements in the event of a breach.
  • Security incident reporting to the CEO and Board, enhanced employee training, and appropriate resources and support for cybersecurity.
  • Personal information safeguards and controls requiring total database encryption and dark web monitoring.
  • Specific security requirements with respect to network segmentation, patch management, intrusion detection, firewalls, access controls, logging and monitoring, and penetration testing.
  • Third-party assessments of Blackbaud’s compliance with the settlement for 7 years.

AG Nessel encourages Michigan consumers to take steps to protect their information. For more information, please read the Attorney General’s Consumer Alert Data Breaches, What to do Next.

Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. The Department provides a library of Consumer Alerts, which cover a wide range of topics, and can be reviewed on the Department’s website.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Indiana and Vermont co-led the multistate investigation, assisted by the Executive Committee consisting of Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and New York, and joined by Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
$2 Million in Savings for Consumers Energy Electric Customers

$2 Million in Savings for Consumers Energy Electric Customers

by | Oct 4, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 4, 2023

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Secures More Than $2 Million in Savings for Consumers Energy Company’s Electric Customers

LANSING – Last week, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) decided that Consumers Energy Company cannot charge electric customers for some of the energy replacement costs incurred by the Company due to its unreasonable and imprudent actions.

Consumers sought $338,067 to compensate itself for the costs incurred to provide electricity when it suffered an outage at one of its generation plants due to the company’s own unreasonable and imprudent practices. A larger amount was also sought by the company in the same case, for $1.77 million. The company withdrew the larger amount after the Attorney General and MPSC Staff filed testimony challenging the recovery of replacement power cost due to errors caused by its contractor.  As a result of the Attorney General and MPSC Staff litigation in this case and final order by the Michigan Public Service Commission Consumers’ electric customers saved approximately $2.1 million.

In March of 2022, Consumers Energy Company filed an application to recoup power supply costs it expended to provide electricity in 2021. The Attorney General and MPSC staff filed testimony challenging the recovery of replacement power cost due to errors caused by its contractor.

“Ratepayers in Michigan shouldn’t bear the burden of mismanagement or poor decision making of the company, and I’m glad the commission agreed with our argument,” said Nessel.

Another issue raised by the Attorney General related to the lack of information for outages at the Company’s solar and renewable energy facilities. The company did not provide any outage information regarding its renewable energy facilities, and as such no public party has been able to evaluate the existence or nature of outages at those facilities to determine whether they were necessary or caused by unreasonable and imprudent actions by the company. The Attorney General recommended that the MPSC require the company to provide outage information for wind and solar facilities like they provide for other generation plants.

“On behalf of Michigan electricity consumers, we’re winning more transparency from our utility corporations by our advocacy in these commission filings,” Nessel continued. “We will continue to advocate in all utility cases in the state to deliver a transparent and fair process and product for ratepaying Michigan residents that support these utility corporations with no other options to shop from.”

The company disagreed with the Attorney General’s recommendations for outage reporting for wind and solar facilities. In response to the Attorney General’s recommendations, it proposed providing other outage related information for wind generation, but not solar due to their relatively small amount of solar generation. The MPSC ordered the utility company to provide notice of outages as it proposed along with other details for their wind generation facilities but allowed the company to continue not reporting outage data on its solar operations.

Since taking office, the Attorney General has saved Michigan consumers over $2.4 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC.

Consumers Energy provides electricity to approximately 1.9 million customers throughout Michigan and natural gas to 1.8 million customers across the state.