This bill amends the Michigan Penal Code by adding a new section, 81f, which establishes penalties for individuals who threaten, intimidate, or harass designated caregivers of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Specifically, it classifies these actions as misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. Additionally, the bill escalates the penalties for assaulting a DHHS designated caregiver while they are performing their duties, with a felony charge carrying a potential sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to $1,000. If the assault results in serious impairment of a body function, the penalty increases to a felony with a maximum of five years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

The bill also defines key terms related to the offenses, including "harass," "intimidate," and "serious impairment of a body function," ensuring clarity in the application of the law. It specifies that the term "department of health and human services designated caregiver" encompasses various individuals, such as foster parents, kinship caregivers, fictive kin, and adoptive parents of children formerly in foster care. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of related legislation, and it will take effect 90 days after being signed into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 750.1, 750.568