ENDANGERING EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORKER
House Bills 5600 and 5601
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Kowall
Committee: Criminal Justice
Complete to 2-11-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5600 AND 5601 AS INTRODUCED 2-7-02
House Bill 5600 would amend a chapter of the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.479c) that pertains to public offices and officers to prohibit a person from recklessly endangering an emergency response worker. Under the bill, a person who committed any act or omission in reckless disregard of the safety of an emergency response worker who was performing his or her duties would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than $500, or both. A violation that resulted in a physical injury to an emergency response worker would be a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years or a fine of not more than $2,000, or both.
A court could order a term of imprisonment imposed under the bill to be served consecutively to any other sentence arising out of the same transaction. Further, the bill would not prohibit the person from being prosecuted for, convicted of, or sentenced for any other violation arising out of the same transaction as a violation of the bill. "Emergency response worker" would mean a peace officer, a firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel as described in the Public Health Code (MCL 333.20950). "Peace officer" would mean a police officer of this state or a political subdivision; a county sheriff or his or her deputy; a public safety officer of a college or university authorized by the institution's governing board to enforce state law and the rules and ordinances of the institution; and a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer.
House Bill 5601 would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16x) to specify that reckless endangerment of an emergency response worker causing injury would be a Class F felony against a person with a four-year maximum sentence of imprisonment. The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5600.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.