Bill > HB4332

This bill aims to prohibit pathogen enhancement engineering or research, which is defined as altering a pathogen to increase its environmental persistence, transmissibility, pathogenicity, infectivity, or virulence. The legislation would make such research a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. To encourage reporting of potential violations, the bill includes a provision for a $50,000 reward to individuals who provide information leading to the discovery of such prohibited research. Additionally, the bill requires the department to notify employees of biological research facilities about this potential reward and to create educational materials that reference the Biological Weapons Convention Treaty and relevant federal law (18 USC 175). The term "person" in the bill includes both individual entities and governmental organizations. This proposed law appears to be a preventative measure to discourage potentially dangerous biological research that could create more harmful pathogens.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4332