LANSING – In a move to ease the financial burden on military families, State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) today voted for a plan that will make it easier for servicemembers who are called to active duty to terminate auto leases without having to pay penalties.
"Our servicemen and women deserve our support when they are called to fight," said Valentine. "Giving our Michigan soldiers the means to cancel their auto leases will give them and their families one less worry while they are away."
Under the plan that passed the House with overwhelming support, servicemembers called to active duty for 180 days or more and their spouses would be allowed to terminate their auto lease without having to pay penalties. Auto leasing agents who charge penalties would face a fine of $1,000 for each violation. All fines would be deposited into the Military Family Relief Fund.
The Military Family Relief Fund provides up to $2,000 a year for the families of Michigan servicemembers who are on active duty or who have suffered an illness or disability on active duty. The Military Family Relief Fund, administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, distributes the money to struggling families for clothing, food, housing, utilities, medical services or prescriptions, vehicle payments or other necessities.
"We can never fully repay our soldiers for fighting on our behalf," said Valentine. "But we can stand by them, salute them, and with this legislation, make their lives and their family's lives back home just a little bit easier."