The bill amends Section 552 of the Michigan Penal Code to clarify and update the regulations regarding trespassing on private property. It specifies that individuals are prohibited from entering or remaining on another person's land without lawful authority after being forbidden to do so by the owner, occupant, or their agent. Notably, the bill removes the requirement for a request to leave the premises to constitute a violation and updates the language to refer to the "owner's" lessee or agent instead of "his or her" lessee or agent. Additionally, it provides an exception for process servers who are on the property while attempting to serve legal documents.

The penalties for violating these trespassing provisions are also revised. A first-time offender will face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $250. However, if the individual has a prior conviction for the same offense, the penalties increase to a misdemeanor charge with a maximum of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after it is enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 750.552