Bill
HB 6013
Allows crime victims to be reimbursed for pet expenses (boarding, deposits) under the Victim Services Act, within existing caps (relocation $3,800; aggregate $45,000).
Status: Introduced (first introduced Sept 26, 2024; bill activity through mid‑2025 shows committee referrals and subsequent postponement/withdrawal; not enacted)
Sponsor: Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (and co-sponsors listed in introduced version)
Purpose
- To amend Michigan’s Crime Victim Services Act (1976 PA 223) to explicitly allow compensation for certain pet-related expenses incurred as a result of a crime, by adding pet costs to the list of eligible out‑of‑pocket losses.
Key provisions (substantive changes)
- Adds or clarifies pet-related expenses among the types of reimbursable out‑of‑pocket losses under section 11 of the Act:
- Pet-related rental costs and pet deposits may be included as eligible relocation expenses when a victim (or other eligible claimant) relocates to protect physical safety or emotional/financial well‑being. These are part of the relocation award subcategory, which remains capped at $3,800 per claimant.
- Temporary boarding of a victim’s pet is eligible if necessary to facilitate the victim’s immediate relocation (no separate dollar limit is added for pet boarding beyond applicable category limits).
- These pet-expense provisions are integrated into existing award categories (relocation and temporary services) rather than creating a standalone pet compensation program.
- Existing monetary limits remain:
- Aggregate award cap: $45,000 per claimant.
- Relocation cap: $3,800 per claimant.
- Other category caps remain unchanged (e.g., crime scene cleanup up to $5,000, residential security up to $1,000 per residence).
Who is affected
- Crime victims and eligible intervenors/family members as defined in section 4 of the Crime Victim Services Act (victims, certain family members, intervenors, etc.) who need to relocate or obtain temporary pet care due to a crime.
- The Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission (administration/processing of claims) and victim services organizations that assist claimants.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced (initial text dated Sept 26, 2024) and later filed/processed in the 2025 legislative session.
- Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice; subsequently referred to subcommittee(s) and the Judiciary Committee per chamber records.
- Legislative actions show the bill was indefinitely postponed/withdrawn (May 3, 2025) and later recorded as “died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee” (June 16, 2025). As of the latest listed actions, the bill did not advance to enactment.
Potential impact
- Provides a targeted, practical benefit for victims who must relocate or otherwise address pet care because of victimization — reducing a barrier to safe relocation (e.g., covering pet deposits or temporary boarding).
- Fiscal impact to the state is likely modest per claim (subject to existing caps), but aggregate cost depends on claimant uptake and administrative processing.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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