HB 4255 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Crimes: controlled substances; crime of manufacturing, delivering, or possession of with intent to deliver certain controlled substances; modify penalties. Amends secs. 7401, 7410 & 7417 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401 et seq.) & adds secs. 7410b & 7417a.

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.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Mar 18, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2025

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What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 5 edits · Apr 23, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to strengthen penalties for controlled substance violations, particularly for Schedule 1 and 2 narcotics, and adds specific provisions for distributing to minors and near schools. It also introduces new requirements for labeling products containing fentanyl derivatives and creates a new felony for knowingly selling heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil without proper disclosure.

Scope change

The bill expands criminal penalties for controlled substance violations, adds new sections for distributing to minors and near schools, and introduces new requirements for product labeling regarding fentanyl derivatives.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties for Schedule 1 and 2 narcotics were increased, with specific thresholds for amounts (1,000+ grams, 450+ grams, 50+ grams, and less than 50 grams) and corresponding prison terms and fines.

New provisions prohibit delivering or distributing controlled substances to minors under 18 who are at least 3 years younger than the distributor, with enhanced penalties.

New provisions prohibit delivering or possessing with intent to deliver controlled substances near school property or libraries, with enhanced penalties.

REQUIREMENT

New section 7417a requires sellers to disclose if a product contains heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil, with a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for violations.

DEFINITION

New definition added for 'plant' in the context of marijuana, specifying it means a marijuana plant that has produced cotyledons or a cutting of such a plant.

Floor votes · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #67 Yeas 66 Nays 40 Excused 0 Not Voting 4

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation without amendment

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Judiciary

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Sarah Lightner

lower

1 primary · 21 co-sponsors