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HB 6042

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stephen Casey and 1 co-sponsor

Michigan Dozer’s law strengthens penalties for harming, harassing, or interfering with police dogs, horses, and search‑and‑rescue dogs performing duties.

03/26/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6042

Summary — HB 6042

Status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (03/26/2025)
Introduced: November 7, 2024 (Rep. Jennifer Conlin) — Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice

Note: The materials provided include two distinct texts labeled “HB 6042.” The primary text below describes a Michigan bill (amendment to MCL 750.50c, often called “Dozer’s law”). The packet also contains a separate Rhode Island proposal (LC002305) that is unrelated to the Michigan penal-code amendment; a brief summary of that RI text appears at the end.

Purpose and intent

The Michigan bill amends MCL 750.50c to strengthen criminal protections for law‑enforcement animals (police dogs and horses) and search‑and‑rescue dogs. It clarifies definitions, expands prohibited conduct (including harassment/interference), and establishes graded criminal penalties for intentional killing, causing serious harm, or interfering with these animals while they are lawfully performing duties.

The act is captioned “Dozer’s law” and, if enacted, would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Key provisions and definitions

  • Adds/clarifies defined terms:

    • “Dog handler” (peace officer trained in police‑dog handling),
    • “Police dog” and “Police horse” (used for law enforcement),
    • “Search and rescue dog” and “search and rescue operation,”
    • “Physical harm” and “serious physical harm” (serious harm includes substantial disfigurement or serious impairment of an organ or limb; need not be permanent).

  • Prohibited conduct:

    • Intentionally kill or cause serious physical harm to a police dog, police horse, or search‑and‑rescue dog.
    • Intentionally cause physical harm to those animals.
    • Intentionally harass or interfere with those animals while lawfully performing duties.
    • A person committing or attempting to commit a crime may not kill or cause serious physical harm to those animals.

  • Penalties (selected amounts and terms as set in the bill):

    • Intentional killing or causing serious physical harm (subsection (2)): felony — up to 5 years imprisonment, or fine up to $10,000, or both.
    • Intentional physical harm or harassment/interference (subsection (3) or (4)): misdemeanor — up to 1 year imprisonment, or fine up to $5,000, or both.
    • If (3) or (4) is committed while committing another crime: felony — up to 2 years imprisonment, or fine up to $15,000, or both.
    • Killing or causing serious physical harm while committing/attempting a crime: felony — up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine up to $10,000.
    • The bill preserves prosecutors’ ability to charge any additional applicable offenses.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies and personnel (including dog handlers).
  • Police animals (dogs and horses) and search‑and‑rescue dogs.
  • Persons who harm, harass, interfere with, or commit crimes involving these animals — with enhanced criminal exposure and fines.
  • Search and rescue organizations and operations (explicitly protected).

Procedural/timing notes

  • Introduced 11/07/2024; referred to Committee on Criminal Justice same day.
  • Hearing scheduled 03/12/2025 and committee action on 03/26/2025: committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
  • If enacted, the Michigan amendment takes effect 90 days after the law’s enactment.

Separate Rhode Island text included in packet (LC002305 / also labeled HB 6042)

  • Purpose: Amend Rhode Island weapons law to add “officers or employees of the United States authorized by law to carry a concealed firearm” to the list of persons exempt from certain state licensing/permit requirements for carrying pistols/revolvers (visible or concealed).
  • Effect: Those federal officers/employees would be exempt from state permit/license requirements; the RI act would take effect upon passage.
  • Note: This is a distinct proposal under Rhode Island law and is not part of the Michigan penal‑code amendment described above.

If you want, I can prepare a side‑by‑side comparison, draft talking points on likely impacts, or produce the bill’s enforcement/charging scenarios in plain language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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