Crimes: terrorism; making terrorist threat or false report of terrorism; modify. Amends sec. 543m of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.543m).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 10 co-sponsors

HB 4600 strengthens penalties for terrorism threats and false reports, making reckless or knowing threats and false statements punishable up to 20 years or $20,000.

bill electronically reproduced 06/10/2025

#crimes:terrorism

Overview

HB 4600 is a Michigan bill introduced on June 10, 2025, that amends section 543m of the Michigan Penal Code (1931 PA 328; MCL 750.543m), originally added by 2002 PA 113. The bill targets making terrorist threats and false reports of terrorism, clarifying behavior that can lead to criminal liability and establishing penalties. A companion bill is SB 1568.

Purpose and Intent

To strengthen statutes against threats of terrorism and false reports of terrorism.

To address both purposeful and reckless communications that could be perceived as threats of violence.

To provide a clear statutory framework for prosecuting individuals who threaten terrorism or falsely report terrorism.

Key Provisions

Sec. 543m(1) — Definitions of guilty conduct:

(a) Threatening to commit an act of terrorism and communicating the threat to someone who would view it as a threat of violence, with knowledge of that perception.
(b) Threatening to commit an act of terrorism and communicating the threat with reckless disregard of a substantial risk that it would be viewed as threatening violence.
(c) Knowingly making a false report of an act of terrorism and communicating the false report to someone else, knowing the report is false.

Sec. 543m(2) — It is not a defense to liability that the defendant lacked intent or capability to carry out the threat.

Sec. 543m(3) — Penalty: a felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

Enacting section — Effective date: The act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

Who/What Is Affected

Individuals who threaten to commit terrorism or who knowingly or recklessly communicate a threat to others.

Individuals who knowingly make a false report of terrorism to another person.

The protections and penalties apply regardless of the threat’s actual ability to carry out the act (no defense based on lack of intent or capability).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: June 10, 2025 (Rep. Denise Mentzer, et al.).

Status: Referred to Committee on Judiciary (after first reading); House introduced and electronically reproduced on June 10, 2025.

Legislative actions include: first reading on April 3, 2025 (referred to Transportation in the related actions listing, but current path is Judiciary); filed March 12, 2025.

Companion legislation: SB 1568 (companion bill).

Potential Impact

Creates and strengthens criminal liability for both intentional and reckless threats of terrorism and for false reports.

Increases deterrence for threatening or falsely reporting terrorism by imposing substantial penalties (up to 20 years’ imprisonment and/or $20,000 fine).

Establishes that lack of intent or capability is not a defense, focusing on the conduct and communication's content and perception.

Bill