PROHIBIT DISTURBANCE AT SPORTING EVENTS
House Bill 4726
Sponsor: Rep. Bill McConico
Committee: Criminal Justice
Complete to 6-23-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4726 AS INTRODUCED 5-22-03
The bill would make it illegal to cause a disturbance at a sporting event and would increase the penalties for creating a disturbance in public places.
Currently, it is against the law to excite any disturbance or contention in a tavern; store or grocery; manufacturing establishment or other place of business; street, lane, alley, or highway; public building, grounds, or park; or at an election or other public meeting where people are peaceably and lawfully assembled. The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to also include in the prohibition a stadium, coliseum, arena, or any other place where individuals are gathered for a sporting event. The bill would also clarify that the provision pertains to public grounds and public parks.
The code specifies that a person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor. Currently, the penalty for an unspecified misdemeanor is imprisonment for up to 90 days, a fine up to $500, or both. The bill would increase the maximum imprisonment to 93 days, thus triggering statutory fingerprinting requirements that include a search of the state and national criminal fingerprint databases.
MCL 750.170
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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.