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.
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.
This bill's title incorrectly references water supply, but the actual text amends Michigan's law restricting disclosure of law enforcement statements (2006 PA 563). It defines "involuntary statement" as information compelled by a law enforcement agency through threats of job loss or sanctions. The bill would protect such compelled statements from disclosure, applying to officers employed by state police, county agencies, cities, universities, and other specified entities. This directly affects law enforcement officers and agencies by limiting how their compelled statements can be used in legal proceedings.
HB 4470 amends Michigan's penal code to designate specific portions of the Mackinac Bridge (those not open to or intended for public use) as a "key facility" under existing law. This means unauthorized entry onto these bridge sections - when enclosed by barriers like water and properly posted with signage - would become a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. The bill adds the Mackinac Bridge to a list of protected critical infrastructure, including power plants, water facilities, and chemical plants, all requiring physical barriers and visible signage to enforce entry restrictions. It does not change current penalties or posting requirements but extends them specifically to the Mackinac Bridge's restricted areas.
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 4691 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to increase penalties for drivers who flee or elude police officers. It creates four tiers of felony sentencing based on the severity of the violation: fourth-degree (up to 2 years for basic evasion), third-degree (1-5 years if collision occurs or in low-speed zones), second-degree (2-10 years for serious injury or prior convictions), and first-degree (5-15 years if death results). The bill specifically defines "serious injury" to include loss of limbs, brain damage, or coma. This directly affects drivers who fail to stop for police in uniform with marked vehicles, with penalties escalating based on outcomes like collisions, injuries, or prior offenses.
