MI HB4974

Creates the "Child Abuse Offenders Registration Act" requiring persons convicted of child abuse offenses under Michigan Penal Code section 136b to register with law enforcement authorities.

Applies to persons convicted after January 1, 2016, and to those convicted before that date who are on probation, parole, or under Department of Corrections jurisdiction on or after January 1, 2016.

Requires registered offenders to report in person to local law enforcement, with verification frequency of once annually for misdemeanor convictions and four times annually for felony convictions, for a registration period of 5-10 years depending on offense severity.

Establishes a $50.00 registration fee per reporting event (capped at $385.00 total) with $35.00 forwarded to a state fund for registry maintenance and $15.00 retained locally; fee may be waived for 90 days for indigent persons.

Imposes criminal penalties ranging from 4 years imprisonment for first-time violations to 10 years for repeat violations, plus misdemeanor penalties for failure to verify, sign registration forms, or pay fees; prohibits unauthorized disclosure of registration information with civil liability for treble damages.