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HB 4465

Criminal procedure: arrests; required removal of religious head coverings for police photographs; prohibit. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 25c to ch. IV.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Erin Byrnes and 13 co-sponsors

Michigan bill prohibits police from requiring removal of religious head coverings during arrest booking and mugshot photographs.

bill electronically reproduced 05/07/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4465

Legislative bill overview

HB 4465 would amend Michigan's criminal procedure law to prohibit police from requiring individuals to remove religious head coverings (such as hijabs, turbans, or yarmulkes) during booking or mugshot photographs. The bill adds a new section to the Michigan Penal Code establishing this protection during arrest processing.

Why is this important

This addresses a real conflict between law enforcement documentation procedures and religious freedom protections. Currently, some police departments require removal of head coverings for standardized mugshots, which can conflict with individuals' religious practices and has been a documented point of friction between law enforcement and religious communities, particularly Muslim, Sikh, and Orthodox Jewish populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Law enforcement identification concerns: Police departments may argue that head coverings obscure facial features needed for accurate identification, suspect tracking, and database matching across jurisdictions
  • Implementation clarity: The bill doesn't specify alternative procedures (e.g., whether mugshots with coverings on would be acceptable, or if separate photos without coverings could be required for administrative purposes only)
  • Scope ambiguity: Unclear whether the prohibition applies only to visible mugshots or also to identification databases, and what happens if religious attire fundamentally obscures identification markers

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

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