HB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.
House Bill 4255 modifies the penalties for crimes involving the manufacturing, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver certain controlled substances. It specifically amends sections of the Public Health Code to introduce new sentencing guidelines. The bill establishes distinct and often stricter penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences and higher maximum fines, for offenses involving heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or their derivatives. These enhanced penalties differentiate these substances from other controlled substances within similar weight classifications.
HB 4600 amends Michigan's law on terrorism threats and false reports, specifically modifying Section 543m of the Penal Code. The bill clarifies that making a threat of terrorism (even without intent to carry it out) or knowingly reporting a false terrorism incident can be prosecuted as a felony. It removes the defense that a defendant lacked the intent or capability to commit the threatened act. This law directly affects individuals who make threatening communications about terrorism or falsely report terrorism incidents, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison or a $20,000 fine. The bill was introduced on June 10, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
HB 4507 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to require a mandatory life sentence without parole for individuals who sell mislabeled or contaminated drugs or devices with the intent to kill or cause serious harm to two or more people, if their actions result in death. This replaces the current maximum 15-year penalty for causing death through such violations under Section 17764 of the code. The bill specifically targets cases where the seller intended to harm multiple individuals, not general death resulting from misbranded products. The amendment is contingent on another bill (HB 4506) becoming law before taking effect.
HB 4508 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for specific crimes involving drugs, biological/chemical substances, and explosives that result in death or serious harm. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole for offenders convicted of certain violations that cause death, including cases where the crime was committed with intent to harm two or more people. Key provisions revise sections 16, 18, and 200i of the penal code to require this mandatory life sentence when offenses directly cause death, removing parole eligibility. It affects individuals convicted under these amended sections for crimes like adulterating drugs, distributing harmful substances, or using explosives. The changes apply to existing offenses, not new criminal acts.
SB 460 modifies Michigan's penalties for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver certain controlled substances, primarily targeting Schedule 1 and 2 drugs (like narcotics and fentanyl derivatives). It establishes tiered penalties based on the substance's danger and quantity - for example, 1,000 grams or more of fentanyl or heroin now carries a potential life sentence or $1 million fine, while smaller amounts face reduced but still severe penalties. This directly affects individuals convicted of drug offenses under Michigan law, with specific provisions for fentanyl-related crimes and adjustments to prior sentencing structures.
SB 362 updates Michigan's definition of "racketeering" in the penal code to explicitly include "a felony violation of the identity theft protection act" (2004 PA 452). This means identity theft crimes now qualify as racketeering offenses, allowing prosecutors to pursue them under more severe racketeering statutes. The change directly affects individuals convicted of identity theft, as it expands the legal framework for charging such cases. The bill revises Section 159g of the penal code to add this specific reference, without creating new penalties or altering existing laws.
This bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.
SB 217 increases penalties for drivers who commit moving violations (like speeding or reckless driving) that cause physical injury or death to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable roadway users. It amends Michigan's criminal code (MCL 777.12e) to enhance the penalties for these specific offenses. The bill directly affects drivers whose actions result in harm to non-motorized road users, raising the legal consequences for such incidents.
HB 4716 increases criminal penalties for insurance fraud in Michigan based on the amount of fraudulent claims or number of claims involved. It raises maximum prison terms from 4 years to 20 years and fines up to $50,000, with higher penalties for larger frauds (e.g., $100,000+ claims or 100+ claims) or repeat offenses. The law requires courts to order restitution to victims and allows aggregating claims made within any 12-month period to determine penalty levels. This directly affects individuals committing fraud, as well as insurers or practitioners found responsible for fraudulent acts under Michigan law.
