SB 801 prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals based solely on personal characteristics like race, ethnicity, language, religious affiliation, or perceived sexual orientation. It also bans officers from entering a dwelling using a federal administrative warrant. The bill amends existing law to clarify when federal officers may enforce state law (requiring state warrants or joint investigations) and specifies that such enforcement must comply with the new restrictions. These provisions directly affect all Michigan law enforcement officers (state and federal) and individuals subject to stops or searches under the bill's rules.
HB 5492, the "regulating automatic license plate readers act," sets rules for private entities operating automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems, requiring them to preserve captured license plate data for 14 days when law enforcement or a criminal defendant requests it with a specific written statement. The bill prohibits using the data as evidence in court if disclosure would violate the act, mandates data destruction after 14 days if not used, and allows individuals to sue for violations and recover at least $1,000 in damages or actual damages plus legal fees. Vehicle owners' data is protected from public disclosure without consent, except under a court order or warrant, and cannot be accessed by law enforcement without a warrant or specific preservation request.
HB 5495 prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals based solely on personal characteristics like race, ethnicity, language accent, location near immigrant communities, or perceived religious, sexual, or political identity. It also bans officers from entering a dwelling using a federal agency administrative warrant. The bill defines key terms including "immigrant" (non-citizen residents) and "personal characteristics," and clarifies that federal officers may only enforce state law under specific conditions outlined in amended Section 15d. This directly affects all Michigan law enforcement officers and the people they interact with during stops or searches.
HB 5453 creates a pre-charge diversion program for individuals suspected of possessing or using controlled substances under Michigan's Public Health Code (MCL 333.7403-7404). It allows prosecutors, law enforcement, and social welfare agencies to collaborate on a program that redirects eligible individuals away from criminal prosecution and into substance use disorder treatment. The program requires case management tracking and mandates that successful completion prevents prosecution for the underlying drug possession offense. This directly affects people charged with low-level drug possession, offering an alternative to jail through treatment-focused supervision.
HB 5493 regulates how state and local law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems. It prohibits most ALPR use except for specific purposes like checking for stolen vehicles, outstanding warrants, uninsured vehicles, or active criminal investigations. The bill requires agencies to delete captured plate data within 14 days (unless used as evidence or for ongoing investigations), adopt public policies on ALPR use, and submit quarterly usage reports. It directly affects police departments and other government entities that operate ALPR systems, limiting their data collection and retention practices.
HB 5483 amends Michigan's penal code to specifically protect United States Postal Service letter carriers by adding them to the list of protected individuals under assault laws. The bill increases penalties for assaulting, obstructing, or endangering these workers based on injury severity: up to 2 years for basic assault, 4 years for serious injury requiring medical care, 15 years for serious bodily impairment, and 20 years if the assault causes death. It clarifies that existing penalties for assaulting law enforcement or emergency personnel also apply to letter carriers when they are performing their duties. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and does not affect other potential charges for the same incident.
HB 5424 amends Michigan's vehicle code (MCL 257.217c) to change how law enforcement agencies can use revenue collected from fees for salvage vehicle inspections. Currently, these fees must be spent on specific purposes like vehicle inspections or law enforcement operations, but the bill modifies the allowable uses. This directly affects local police departments and sheriff's offices that collect these fees. The change would allow them to allocate the revenue toward additional law enforcement needs beyond the current restrictions.
Senate Bill 114 allows counties or regions in Michigan to create vulnerable adult multidisciplinary teams. These teams, comprising public and private professionals such as law enforcement, adult protective services, and healthcare providers, are designed to prevent, investigate, and prosecute the abuse and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The bill permits team members to share information for their duties, but requires strict confidentiality and sworn statements. Importantly, the information and records produced by these teams are exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and their meetings are not subject to the Open Meetings Act.
HB 5120 eliminates fees for serving documents in personal protection order (PPO) cases. It amends Michigan's civil procedure law to prohibit charging fees for serving process under the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act or for any order issued in a PPO case, including petitions, orders, and related documents. This directly affects PPO petitioners (who no longer pay service fees) and process servers (who cannot charge for these specific services). The bill also clarifies that law enforcement may charge a $50 flat fee from a dedicated fund for multiple PPO-related documents served at once, but not per document. The change aims to remove financial barriers for individuals seeking protection orders.
SB 339 creates a standardized "separation of service record" that Michigan law enforcement agencies must maintain when officers leave their positions. It requires agencies to document the reason for separation and any active disciplinary investigations within one year of departure, finalize the record within 5 business days, and provide written notice to the officer. Officers can review the record, request corrections within 7 days, or submit a written statement disagreeing with inaccuracies if unresolved. This directly affects current and former law enforcement officers transitioning between agencies and their employers, ensuring transparency in separation documentation. The bill amends Michigan's existing law enforcement standards act to formalize these procedures.
