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HB 5685

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

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kimberly Edwards and 2 co-sponsors

HB 5685 strengthens penalties for threats, harassment, intimidation, and assaults against DHHS employees/contractors, including those while on duty or due to status.

bill electronically reproduced 03/05/2026
#crimes:assaultive #crimes:penalties #humanservices:other
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Bill Summary · HB 5685

Overview

House Bill 5685 (Session 2025-2026, Michigan) issues amended penalties in the Michigan Penal Code for threats, intimidation, harassment, and assaults against employees of the Family Independence Agency (FIA) and, more broadly, employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or private DHHS-designated contracted agencies. It is paired with HB 5684 (crimes against DHHS-designated caregivers) and HB 5686 (sentencing guidelines) as a package.

Purpose and intent

  • To strengthen penalties for threats, intimidation, harassment, and assaults targeting:
    • DHHS employees
    • Private agencies under contract with DHHS (as provided under section 14f of the Social Welfare Act)
    • Specifically, personnel performing duties for the Family Independence Agency (FIA) or DHHS, and, in related measures, DHHS-designated caregivers (per HB 5684).
  • To create clearer and higher-stakes consequences for offenses motivated by an individual's status as a DHHS employee or contractor, and to align penalties with the severity of injuries caused.

Key provisions (as related to HB 5685)

  • Expands existing statute MCL 750.81c to cover DHHS employees and private contractors under contract with DHHS, in addition to FIA/DHHS staff.
  • Offenses and penalties under HB 5685 (as amended by this bill):
    • Threats to harm a DHHS employee or contractor: misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment, up to $1,000 fine, or both.
    • Intimidation of a DHHS employee or contractor: misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment, up to $1,000 fine, or both.
    • Harassment of a DHHS employee or contractor: misdemeanor, up to 1 year imprisonment, up to $1,000 fine, or both.
  • Crimes committed while performing duties or because of status as a DHHS employee/contractor:
    • Assault (or assault and batter) resulting in any physical injury: felony, up to 2 years imprisonment, up to $1,000 fine, or both.
    • Assault resulting in serious impairment of a body function: felony, up to 5 years imprisonment, fine between $1,000 and $5,000, or both.
  • Defenses and cross-reference:
    • Convictions under this section do not preclude other applicable charges.
    • Definitions of harassment, intimidation, and “serious impairment of a body function” are provided (with the latter defined by reference to MCL 257.58c from the Michigan Vehicle Code).

Who is affected

  • DHHS employees and contractors under contract with DHHS (including private agencies under contract for services under section 14f of the Social Welfare Act).
  • Individuals who threaten, intimidate, harass, assault, or assault and batter these DHHS workers or contractors, while performing duties or because of status.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act (if enacted) takes effect 90 days after enactment.
  • HB 5685 is introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee; companion bills (HB 5684 and HB 5686) exist to address related penalties for DHHS-designated caregivers and to amend sentencing guidelines.
  • The proposed changes would operate in tandem: HB 5684 defines penalties for DHHS-designated caregivers; HB 5685 extends penalties to DHHS employees/contractors; HB 5686 integrates the new offenses into sentencing guidelines.

Fiscal impact

  • The House Fiscal Agency notes an indeterminate fiscal impact. Potential costs come from:
    • Increased misdemeanor and felony convictions (local jail/probation costs).
    • Potential state prison and parole costs for new felonies.
  • Specific cost estimates are not provided due to uncertainty in the number of anticipated violations. Typical incarceration costs cited for context: roughly $48,100 per prisoner per year (state facilities) and about $5,400 per year for parole supervision in 2025.

Summary of significance

  • The bills collectively strengthen protections for DHHS employees and DHHS-designated caregivers by:
    • Elevating threats, harassment, and intimidation to covered offenses.
    • Expanding assault/assault-battery liability to include harm to DHHS workers and DHHS contractors.
    • Providing higher penalties for more serious injuries.
  • The changes aim to deter hostility toward social services workers and improve safety for frontline workers and those under DHHS care or contract.

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

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