ELIMINATE COHABITATION PROHIBITION                                                          S.B. 896:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 896 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Steven Bieda

Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to delete a provision that prohibits a man and woman, who are not married to each other, from lewdly and lasciviously associating and cohabitating together. The bill would retain a provision that prohibits any man or woman, married or unmarried, from engaging in open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior.

Each offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year's imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. A prosecution of either offense may not be commenced after one year from the time of the violation.

MCL 750.335                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill likely would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. A decrease in misdemeanor arrests and convictions could lead to decreased demands on local court systems, law enforcement, and jails, as well as decreased fine revenue dedicated to public libraries; however, the last time a person was charged under this section of the Code is not known.

Date Completed:  5-11-16                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.