THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931

750.217g Badge, patch, or uniform of fire department, life support agency, or medical first response service; selling, furnishing, possessing, wearing, exhibiting, or displaying prohibited; exceptions; violation as misdemeanor; penalty; definitions. Sec. 217g.

(1) A person shall not sell, furnish, possess, wear, exhibit, display, or use the badge, patch, or uniform, or facsimile of the badge, patch, or uniform, of any organized fire department, life support agency, or medical first response service unless 1 or more of the following apply: (a) The person receiving or possessing the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is authorized to receive or possess the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile by the chief officer of the organized fire department, life support agency, or medical first response service. (b) The person receiving or possessing the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is a member of the organized fire department or an employee of the life support agency or medical first response service. (c) The badge is a retirement badge and is in the possession of the retired member of the organized fire department or retired employee of the life support agency or medical first response service. (d) The badge, patch, or uniform is the badge, patch, or uniform of a deceased member of the organized fire department or deceased employee of the life support agency or medical first response service and is in the possession of his or her spouse, child, or next of kin. (e) The person receiving, possessing, exhibiting, displaying, or using the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is a collector of badges, patches, uniforms, or facsimiles. A badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile possessed as part of a collection shall be in a container or display case when being transported. (f) The person is in the theatrical profession and wears the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile while actually engaged in that profession. (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both. (3) As used in this section: (a) "Facsimile" includes both an exact replica of an existing item and a close imitation of an existing item. (b) "Life support agency" means that term as defined in section 20906 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20906. (c) "Medical first response service" means that term as defined in section 20906 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20906. (d) "Organized fire department" means that term as defined in section 1 of the fire prevention code, 1941 PA 207, MCL 29.1.

History: Add. 2006, Act 405, Eff. Oct. 1, 2006

Understanding Michigan Penal Code 750.217g: Badge, Patch, or Uniform of Fire Department, Life Support Agency, or Medical First Response Service

Michigan Penal Code 750.217g addresses the possession and use of badges, patches, or uniforms associated with organized fire departments, life support agencies, or medical first response services. The key points of this statute are summarized below:

Prohibited Possession and Use of Badges, Patches, or Uniforms

1. It is prohibited for a person to sell, furnish, possess, wear, exhibit, display, or use the badge, patch, or uniform, or a facsimile (exact replica or close imitation) of the badge, patch, or uniform, of any organized fire department, life support agency, or medical first response service, unless certain conditions are met.
2. Exceptions to the prohibition include: a. The person receiving or possessing the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is authorized by the chief officer of the organized fire department, life support agency, or medical first response service. b. The person receiving or possessing the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is a member of the organized fire department or an employee of the life support agency or medical first response service. c. The badge is a retirement badge and is in the possession of a retired member of the organized fire department or retired employee of the life support agency or medical first response service. d. The badge, patch, or uniform is from a deceased member of the organized fire department or deceased employee of the life support agency or medical first response service and is in the possession of their spouse, child, or next of kin. e. The person possessing, exhibiting, displaying, or using the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile is a collector, and it is part of their collection. When transporting, the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile must be kept in a container or display case. f. The person is in the theatrical profession and wears the badge, patch, uniform, or facsimile while actively engaged in their profession.

Penalties

1. Violation of this section is considered a misdemeanor offense.
2. The maximum penalty for violating this section is imprisonment for up to 93 days, a fine of up to $500.00, or both.

Definitions

1. "Facsimile" includes both an exact replica of an existing item and a close imitation of an existing item.
2. "Life support agency" and "medical first response service" refer to the terms as defined in section 20906 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20906.
3. "Organized fire department" refers to the term as defined in section 1 of the fire prevention code, 1941 PA 207, MCL 29.1.

Please note that this is a simplified explanation of Michigan Penal Code 750.217g. For a comprehensive understanding of the law and its implications, it is recommended to consult the full text of the statute and seek legal advice if necessary.