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 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 4596 clarifies the timeline for dismissing criminal charges against defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial in Michigan. It requires charges to be dismissed 15 months after the defendant was initially found incompetent or after they began treatment to become competent - whichever comes first. Prosecutors may refile charges for life felony offenses if the defendant later becomes competent, but only after a court hearing confirming competency. The bill also adds requirements for courts to notify attorneys and medical supervisors when dismissal orders expire or are voided.
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.
HB 4717 amends Michigan's criminal code by adding insurance fraud to the legal definition of racketeering under MCL 750.159g. This change directly affects cases involving insurance fraud, making it a specific type of racketeering offense rather than a separate crime. The key provision updates the statute to explicitly include insurance fraud within the broader racketeering definition used for prosecution. As a substantive policy change, this alters how such fraud cases are categorized and prosecuted under state law.
HB 4048 adds a new sentencing guideline for distributing intimate deepfake sexual images with aggravating circumstances, classifying it as a Class F felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison. This directly affects individuals convicted of disseminating such deepfakes, particularly those with prior offenses under Michigan law. The bill amends sentencing guidelines in Chapter XVII of the Michigan Penal Code to specifically address this crime, establishing a clear penalty framework for courts to apply. It became effective immediately upon the Governor's approval on August 26, 2025.
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.
