MI HB5709

Changes welfare fraud offense from tiered penalties (misdemeanor for amounts ≤$500, felony for amounts >$500) to mandatory felony charges for all welfare fraud cases regardless of amount.

Requires mandatory imprisonment sentence of not less than 2 years 6 months and not more than 4 years for individuals convicted of obtaining welfare benefits through false statements, misrepresentation, impersonation, or fraudulent devices.

Applies the same mandatory felony charges and sentencing to individuals who knowingly neglect or refuse to provide required information updates to the welfare department.

Replaces references to "district family independence agency" with "the department of health and human services" to update the administering agency.

Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.