Michigan House Bill HB5685

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/26
• Refer: 3/5/26

Caption

Crimes: penalties; threats or assault against employee of family independence agency; expand. Amends sec. 81c of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81c).

Summary

House Bill 5685 would amend Michigan’s penal code to expand an existing criminal protection for employees of the former Family Independence Agency to cover employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and employees of private agencies under contract with DHHS. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to threaten, intimidate, or harass those workers because of their employment status, and it makes assault or assault and battery against them a felony when it causes physical injury. If the assault causes serious impairment of a body function, the offense is elevated to a higher felony with a greater maximum penalty. The bill also adds definitions for “harass,” “intimidate,” and “serious impairment of a body function,” and clarifies that the new penalties do not prevent prosecution under other applicable laws. The act would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Impact

HB5685 would update MCL 750.81c to reflect the reorganization of Michigan’s child welfare and human services system, replacing references to the Family Independence Agency with the Department of Health and Human Services and extending coverage to private contractors working for the department under the Social Welfare Act. In practical terms, it would broaden criminal protections for frontline social services workers and create or preserve misdemeanor and felony penalties for threats, harassment, intimidation, and assaults directed at them because of their official duties or status.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded votes, or formal opposition in the materials provided, so there is no documented debate to gauge a divided sentiment. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears straightforward and protective in nature, aimed at safeguarding public and contracted human services employees from workplace-related threats and violence.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues inherent in the bill’s language include the breadth of the new harassment and intimidation provisions, the inclusion of private agency contractors, and the use of criminal penalties for conduct tied to speech or protest activity; however, the bill itself attempts to limit those concerns by excluding constitutionally protected activity and conduct serving a legitimate purpose.