2012 House Bill 5284 / Public Act 353

Expand computer crime law to handheld internet gadgets

Introduced in the House

Jan. 25, 2012

Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R-19)

To revise the law that authorizes enhanced penalties for using a computer and the internet to communicate for the purpose of committing certain crimes (including stalking, sex crimes and serious violent crimes), so that it also applies to cell phones and other handheld gadgets that access the internet.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

April 19, 2012

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

May 9, 2012

Amendment offered by Rep. Lisa Brown (D-39)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4237, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4237 would to make it a crime to post a false, reputation-damaging message online about a minon with the intent to intimidate, frighten, harass or cause emotional distress.

The amendment failed by voice vote

May 10, 2012

Passed in the House 106 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 15, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

June 6, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the amendment be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 25, 2012

Amendment offered

To clarify a detail of the bill's scope and give it an effective date of Jan. 1, 2013.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Sept. 27, 2012

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To revise the law that authorizes enhanced penalties for using a computer and the internet to communicate for the purpose of committing certain crimes (including stalking, sex crimes and serious violent crimes), so that it also applies to cell phones and other handheld gadgets that access the internet.

Received in the House

Sept. 27, 2012

Nov. 8, 2012

Passed in the House by voice vote

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Received in the Senate

Nov. 29, 2012

Substitute offered by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To pass the bill again after revising a detail.

Received in the House

Nov. 29, 2012

Dec. 4, 2012

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 12, 2012