The package of three bills in the State Legislature which would provide stiffer penalties for assaults that occur on public transit employees and property have been scheduled for a first hearing in the Michigan House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Paul Condino (D-Southfield) has put the bills on the committee schedule for Wednesday, February 27. After more than a decade of work by the Amalgamated Transit Union and Michigan Public Transit Association, this is the first time we have been able to see this package scheduled for even one hearing. We especially appreciate the efforts of the lead sponsors of the bills (Rep. Gabe Leland-Detroit, Rep. Lee Gonzales-Flint and Rep. Robert Dean-Grand Rapids) and Rep. Condino for their efforts in bringing these bills to the forefront.
The bills would elevate attacks that occur on public transit to the level of felonies, rather than misdemeanors; thus stiffening penalties significantly and providing greater deterrents against attacking public transit employers, passengers and public transit vehicles and property.