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HB 4527

Disabilities: other; penalties for certain violations to provision in use of travel aids by blind persons act; increase. Amends secs. 1a, 2 & 3 of 1937 PA 10 (MCL 752.51a et seq.).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Veronica Paiz and 2 co-sponsors

Mandates drivers near crosswalks take all precautions to protect blind pedestrians using canes, walkers, or service animals, expanding penalties and clarifying civil liability.

placed on third reading
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Bill Summary · HB 4527

Summary — HB 4527 (Driver Precautions for Blind Pedestrians)

Status: Placed on third reading (substitute H‑1 adopted). Filed Mar 12, 2025; formally introduced June 3, 2025; substitute (H‑1) adopted Nov 12, 2025. Companion bill: HB 4528 (sentencing guidelines).

Purpose

Amends the 1937 “Use of Travel Aids by Blind Persons” Act (MCL 752.51a et seq.) to strengthen criminal penalties and clarify protections for blind pedestrians who use travel aids (canes, walkers, service animals). Replaces the term “dog guide” with the broader statutory term “service animal.”

Key provisions

  • Requires drivers approaching a crosswalk or other pedestrian crossing to take “all necessary precautions” to avoid accident or injury to a blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane or using a walker or service animal (amends MCL 752.52).
  • Replaces “dog guide” with “service animal” throughout the act (service animal defined by Michigan Penal Code §50a, consistent with federal service‑animal definitions including dogs and miniature horses).
  • Clarifies civil liability: a driver who fails to take precautions is liable for damages; a blind pedestrian’s failure to carry a cane or use a travel aid “must not” be treated as evidence of negligence in civil suits.
  • Adds investigative/notification steps: peace officers must investigate alleged violations; prosecuting attorney reviews and (upon request) must notify the blind pedestrian of charging decisions.

Definitions (notable)

  • Blind: visual acuity 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction, or visual field not greater than 20 degrees.
  • Cane: “predominantly white or metallic in color” (with or without red tip).
  • Walker: white in color or with white legs (with or without red tip).
  • Service animal: as defined in Michigan Penal Code §50a (aligned with federal regulations).

Penalties (substitute H‑1)

  • General violation (section 2(1)): misdemeanor — up to 90 days imprisonment and a fine of $100–$500, or both.
  • Gross negligence causing injury to a blind pedestrian or their service animal: misdemeanor — up to 1 year imprisonment and fine up to $1,000, or both.
  • Gross negligence causing death of a blind pedestrian: felony — up to 15 years imprisonment and fine up to $7,500, or both.
  • Gross negligence causing death of a blind pedestrian’s service animal: felony — up to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to $7,500, or both.

HB 4528 would add the new felonies into Michigan’s sentencing guidelines (e.g., death of a blind pedestrian as a Class C offense; death of a service animal as Class E). HB 4528 cannot take effect unless HB 4527 is enacted.

Fiscal impact

Indeterminate. New misdemeanor or felony convictions could increase local jail, local/state probation, and state prison costs. FY2024 average incarceration cost per state prisoner cited ≈ $46,200; state parole/felony probation ≈ $5,500 per supervised offender. Penal fine revenue increases would affect funding for public/county law libraries.

Who is affected

  • Blind pedestrians using canes, walkers, or service animals (expanded statutory protection).
  • Motor vehicle drivers (new/heightened criminal penalties and civil liability exposure).
  • Prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement, courts, local jails, and state corrections (potential caseload and cost implications).

Positions reported

  • Support: Disability Advocates of Kent County (testified 6‑4‑25).
  • Opposition: American Civil Liberties Union (6‑11‑25).

For statutory text and fiscal/analytical detail, see the House Fiscal Agency analysis and HB 4528 (companion).

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

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