HB 4333 Summary

• Adds animal cruelty and animal fighting offenses to Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines under MCL 777.16b, establishing felony classifications ranging from Class A (life sentence) to Class H for various animal-related crimes.

• Modifies offense variable 4 (psychological injury) to allow 5 points for serious psychological injury requiring professional treatment to the owner of a companion animal under MCL 750.50b convictions.

• Updates offense variable 10 (exploitation of vulnerable victims) to define "exploit" to include violations of MCL 750.50b committed for manipulating a victim for selfish or unethical purposes.

• Revises offense variable 16 (property obtained, damaged, lost, or destroyed) to assign points based on the number of animals involved in MCL 750.50 convictions, awarding 25 points for 25 or more animals and 10 points for 10-24 animals.

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment and is contingent on the simultaneous enactment of HB 4332.