LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed 19 bills into law on January 22, enacting public safety reforms to expand hate crime protections, enhance school safety, and address gun violence and sexual exploitation. She also issued an executive order to establish a School Safety and Mental Health Commission.
“Michiganders should feel safe whether they’re watching a movie at home or heading into the classroom,” Whitmer said in a statement issued by the State of Michigan. “That’s why I’m proud to sign these 19 commonsense bills that will keep Michigan families and neighborhoods safe from gun violence and other violent crimes.”
The updates to Michigan’s hate crime legislation, enacted under House Bills 5400 and 5401, expand protections to include gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other characteristics. The laws also introduce harsher sentencing guidelines for hate crimes involving stalking, threats, or physical violence.
Several measures focus on reducing gun violence and addressing mental health challenges in schools.
House Bills 5450 and 5451 require Michigan schools to distribute firearm storage information to parents, a step aimed at reducing access to unsecured guns.
Additionally, the School Safety and Mental Health Commission, created under House Bills 5659 and 5660, will oversee mental health resources, suicide prevention initiatives, and emergency response protocols in schools.
Other bills in the package include penalties for sextortion (House Bills 5887 and 5888) and an extended statute of limitations for sexual assault victims (House Bill 4485). Measures also require the destruction of firearms from buyback programs and establish threat assessment teams for schools.
“Each of these bills build on my administration’s commitment to protecting Michiganders and their families,” Whitmer said.
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