This bill proposes to amend Michigan's sentencing guidelines to address specific firearm-related offenses. It would establish sentencing recommendations for individuals who intentionally discharge a firearm from a vehicle or at a dwelling or potentially occupied structure. The changes would apply to judges and prosecutors handling cases involving these specific types of gun discharges. The legislation aims to provide clearer guidance on sentencing for these particular circumstances.
HB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.
HB 5234 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to change how law enforcement agencies can use fees collected from salvage vehicle inspections. Specifically, it updates Section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.217c) to expand allowable uses for these fee revenues. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that collect these inspection fees, allowing them to allocate funds toward equipment, training, or other operational needs previously restricted. This is a procedural funding adjustment with no new tax or mandate.
HB 5125 would add enhanced penalties for theft of commercial cargo in Michigan. If passed, individuals convicted of stealing cargo (defined as goods in transit via trucks, warehouses, or shipping facilities, excluding direct-to-consumer packages like retail deliveries) could face up to 10 additional years in prison. Prosecutors must specify this enhanced penalty in court documents, and the extra sentence would run consecutively with any other sentences for the same crime. The bill specifically targets theft of large-scale commercial shipments moving through transportation systems.
This bill creates a new felony offense for delivering Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substances (excluding marijuana) that causes serious injury. It defines "serious injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of body function (like a limb or eye), coma lasting over 3 days, or measurable brain impairment. Violators face life imprisonment or any prison term. The law applies to people who illegally provide these drugs when the substance causes harm to the user or others.
HB 5036 prohibits knowingly providing false or misleading information about assisted reproduction procedures in Michigan, targeting health professionals and donors. It penalizes false claims regarding embryos/gametes, donor identity (including name or birthdate), or donor medical/family history with up to 5 years in prison or $50,000 fines. Health professionals who use unconsented embryos or gametes face harsher penalties: up to 15 years or $100,000 fines, and anonymous donor requests do not excuse violations. The bill applies to fertility clinics and providers, aiming to ensure transparency in services like IVF where accurate donor information is critical.
HB 4397 creates new legal protections for judges, their families, and household members by requiring courts to shield personal information (like home addresses) and enhance physical safety measures. Key provisions mandate that courts restrict public access to sensitive contact details and implement security protocols for judges' residences. The law directly affects judicial staff and their households, aiming to reduce threats and harassment. It passed the House with 84 votes in favor and is now under review by the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee.
HB 5079 increases penalties for individuals who disarm a law enforcement officer using force or cause injury to the officer during such an incident. It amends existing law (MCL 750.479b) to raise criminal penalties for these specific acts against police. The bill directly affects people who physically interfere with officers' weapons, making the offense a more serious crime. This change applies to any situation where an officer is disarmed through force or injured while resisting disarming.
This bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically increase penalties for individuals who take a police officer's firearm by force or cause injury to the officer during such an incident. It directly affects people convicted of assaulting officers to seize their weapons, making this a more severe offense under state law. The key change adds these circumstances as a factor for judges to consider when determining sentences, requiring harsher penalties for disarming officers through violence or causing harm. The amendment modifies Section 16x of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16x) to reflect these updated sentencing standards.
HB 4664 prohibits blocking state highways during assemblies of individuals, amending Michigan's existing traffic law (MCL 257.676b). It directly affects protesters or assembly participants who obstruct highway traffic, making such obstruction a misdemeanor offense. The key provision adds a specific penalty for blocking highways while engaging in group assemblies, moving beyond general traffic violations. This law clarifies that highway obstruction during protests is a criminal act, not merely a traffic infraction.
