HB 5121 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5120'25, HB 6033'26

HB 5121 eliminates the cost for serving personal protection orders (PPOs) in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking PPOs to protect against harassment, stalking, or sexual assault by removing the requirement that petitioners pay for service of the order on the respondent. The bill amends Michigan’s court procedures to eliminate this fee, making it easier for petitioners - especially those with limited resources - to obtain and enforce PPOs without upfront costs. This change applies to all PPOs filed under the specified sections of Michigan law, streamlining the process for victims.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Oct 23, 2025 Last action Jun 24, 2026

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What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → Substitute (H-1) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act to expand the grounds for issuing personal protection orders in cases involving sexual assault and obscene material distribution. The key change is that courts are now required to grant relief if the respondent has a prior conviction for sexual assault or furnishing obscene material, removing the previous requirement for the court to make a separate determination about the conviction's validity. Additionally, new prohibited conduct has been added to allow courts to stop a respondent from interfering with a petitioner's efforts to remove children or personal property from the respondent's home.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of personal protection orders by adding specific mandatory grounds for issuance based on prior convictions and by including new prohibited behaviors related to property and child removal.

REQUIREMENT

Courts are now required to grant relief if the respondent has been convicted of sexual assault or furnishing obscene material, removing the need for a separate judicial determination on those convictions.

Added a new prohibited act preventing respondents from interfering with a petitioner's efforts to remove children or personal property from premises owned or leased by the respondent.

Updated procedural rules for modifying or terminating protection orders to require written motions and offers of proof to be filed at least 24 hours before a hearing.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 24, 2026

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Jun 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)

lower

Oct 23, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Judiciary

lower

Oct 23, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Sarah Lightner

lower

1 primary · 45 co-sponsors