Bill > HB5685

This bill expands the penalties for threats or assaults against employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and private agencies contracted by DHHS, clarifying that these protections apply to individuals working for these entities. Specifically, it makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, for someone to threaten physical harm, intimidate, or harass an employee of DHHS or a contracted private agency because of their job status. Assaulting and battering such an employee, causing any physical injury, becomes a felony with a penalty of up to two years in prison or a $1,000 fine, and if the assault causes a "serious impairment of a body function" (meaning a significant disruption of bodily activity), the penalty increases to a felony of up to five years in prison and a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. The bill also defines "harass" as repeated, unconsented contact causing emotional distress and "intimidate" as a willful course of conduct intended to cause fear of physical injury, while excluding constitutionally protected activities or those serving a legitimate purpose. The term "serious impairment of a body function" is defined by referencing a section of the Michigan vehicle code.

Justice

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2026-HB-5685