Bill > HB6263

This bill modifies Michigan's criminal laws by upgrading the crime of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree from a misdemeanor, which is a less serious crime usually punishable by jail time of under a year in a local facility, to a felony, which is a more severe crime punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both. Within the context of Michigan law, criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree involves various forms of unwanted sexual contact under specific circumstances, such as involving individuals of certain ages with significant age gaps, the use of force or coercion, victims who are unable to give proper consent due to mental or physical conditions, or involving individuals in positions of authority like educators, mental health professionals, or care providers abusing their status. Additionally, the legislation makes minor technical and grammatical updates to the existing statute—such as changing "which" to "that" and updating verb tenses regarding marriage exceptions—and specifies that the new law will take effect 90 days after it is officially enacted.