PUBLIC THREAT ALERT SYSTEM ACT

Act 235 of 2016

AN ACT to prescribe the public threat alert system as the official response to public threat situations in this state; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and authorities.


History: 2016, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


28.671 Short title.

Sec. 1.

    This act shall be known and may be cited as the "public threat alert system act".


History: 2016, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016





28.672 "Public threat" defined.

Sec. 2.

    As used in this act, "public threat" means a clear, present, persistent, ongoing, and random threat to public safety. A public threat includes, but is not limited to, an act of terrorism, an unresolved mass shooting, or an unresolved mass shooting spree.


History: 2016, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016





28.673 Public threat alert system plan; establishment; maintenance; design; activation.

Sec. 3.

    (1) The department of state police shall establish and maintain the public threat alert system plan.
    (2) The public threat alert system plan shall be designed to rapidly disseminate useful information in a predetermined manner to radio and television stations within this state and to wireless devices through the existing wireless emergency alert system operated under federal law.
    (3) The public threat alert system plan shall be activated only in accordance with the policies established by the department of state police.


History: 2016, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016





28.674 False report; violation as felony; penalty.

Sec. 4.

    (1) A person shall not intentionally make a false report of a public threat, or intentionally cause a false report of a public threat to be made, to a peace officer, police agency of this state or of a local unit of government, 9-1-1 operator, or any other governmental employee or contractor or employee of a contractor who is authorized to receive the report, knowing that the report is false. A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
    (2) The court may order a person convicted under this section to pay to the state or a local unit of government and the media the costs of responding to the false report or threat, including, but not limited to, the use of police or fire emergency response vehicles and teams, under section 1f of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.1f.


History: 2016, Act 235, Eff. Sept. 22, 2016




Rendered 8/15/2025 12:53 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov