Bill
HB 5915
The bill tightens penalties for willful sex offender registry violations, creating escalating felony levels based on prior violations and linking consequences to probation, youth t
HB 5915 (2025-2026) – Summary
Purpose
- To amend section 9 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act (1994 PA 295, MCL 28.729), as amended by 2020 PA 295.
- The bill introduces or clarifies penalties for willful violations of the act, strengthening potential sentencing for sex offender registry violations.
Key Provisions and Changes
- General rule for willful violations (Section 9(1)):
- If no prior violations under the act: guilty of a felony, up to 4 years’ imprisonment or a fine up to $2,000, or both.
- If exactly 1 prior violation: guilty of a felony, imprisonment for life or any term of years but not less than 7 years, or a fine up to $5,000, or both.
- If 2 or more prior violations: guilty of a felony, imprisonment for life or any term of years but not less than 10 years, or a fine up to $10,000, or both.
- Specific violations treated as misdemeanors (Section 9(2)-(4)):
- Willful failure to comply with Section 5a (except for payment of the fee in 5a(6)): misdemeanor, up to 2 years’ imprisonment or up to $2,000 fine, or both.
- Willful failure to sign registration and notice under Section 7(4): misdemeanor, up to 93 days’ imprisonment or up to $1,000 fine, or both.
- Willful failure to pay the registration fee under Section 5a(6) or 7(1) within 90 days of reporting: misdemeanor, up to 90 days’ imprisonment.
- Court actions for violations (Section 9(5)-(7)):
- Courts must revoke probation if the probationer willfully violates the act.
- Youthful trainee status must be revoked if the trainee willfully violates the act.
- Parole board must rescind parole if the released offender willfully violates the act.
- Prosecution venue for failures to register or violations of section 5 (Section 9(8)):
- Prosecution may occur in the judicial district of:
- The individual’s last registered address or residence.
- The individual’s actual address or residence.
- Where the individual was arrested for the violation.
- Effective date
- The act takes effect 90 days after the date of enactment.
Who Is Affected
- Individuals required to be registered under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
- Probationers, youth trainees, and parolees who are subject to ongoing supervision and who willfully violate the act.
- Court systems and the Parole Board, which would enforce probation, youthful trainee status, and parole consequences for violations.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors handling registration compliance and violations, including venue considerations for prosecutions.
Procedural and Timeline Notes
- Introduced April 29, 2026, by Representatives Kuhn, Hoadley, St. Germaine, Wozniak, Pavlov, and Bruck; referred to the Judiciary Committee.
- Enactment date: 90 days after enactment (effective date).
- The bill adds or intensifies penalties based on prior violations, with escalating ranges from misdemeanor to life-imprisonment levels for repeat offenders.
Overall Impact
- The bill tightens penalties for failures to register or comply with the Sex Offenders Registration Act, particularly for offenders with prior violations.
- It creates a tiered penalty structure (felony levels) tied to prior offenses and establishes consequences across probation, youthful trainee status, and parole contexts.
- It also clarifies prosecutorial venues for certain registration violations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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