Michigan HB4334: What Restaurant Owners Need to Know

Most Michigan restaurant owners don't realize that a provision buried in House Bill 4334 has quietly expanded when drivers can face felony charges for traffic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. If your staff drives for work—making deliveries, running errands, shuttling between locations—this change affects your business and your liability exposure.

What Changed

Under current Michigan law, Section 601c of the Motor Vehicle Code limits felony charges for traffic accidents to situations where the driver was already committing a criminal offense (a misdemeanor or felony). HB4334 removes that limitation.

Starting 90 days after the bill is enacted—provided companion legislation (HB4335 or SB683) also passes—any moving violation can now serve as the basis for a felony charge if it results in serious injury or death to a pedestrian, cyclist, or e-bike rider. This includes civil infractions: a rolling stop, minor speeding, an unsafe lane change, or failure to yield.

The change is codified in Section 601c(2), found on pages 26–27 of the bill text.

Why This Matters to Your Business

Restaurant operators employ drivers. Whether it's a delivery driver, a manager running to a supplier, or an employee commuting in a company vehicle, your staff are now exposed to a significantly broader felony liability threshold. A driver who commits a minor traffic violation—one that would normally result in a small fine—could face felony prosecution if that violation results in injury to a vulnerable road user.

This has practical implications:

• Insurance and liability: Your general liability and commercial auto policies may not fully cover criminal defense costs or reputational damage from a felony charge involving an employee.
• Driver behavior: Staff need to understand the heightened stakes of traffic safety, especially in high-pedestrian areas near your restaurant.
• Hiring and retention: Employees who drive may face criminal records that affect their employment prospects, which could impact your ability to retain or recruit drivers.

Timeline and Conditions

The provision takes effect 90 days after HB4334 is enacted. However, it is contingent on companion legislation: either House Bill 4335 or Senate Bill 683 (request no. S00683'25) must also be enacted for the change to take effect. Until both bills pass, the current law remains in place.

Check the status of both bills with the Michigan Legislature to know when this change becomes active.

What You Can Do

Review your commercial auto insurance coverage now. Ensure your policies address criminal defense liability and that your employees understand the new traffic safety landscape. Consider refreshing driver training for any staff who operate vehicles for work.

If you'd like a more detailed breakdown of how this provision interacts with restaurant operations, employment practices, and insurance, a free business-specific summary is available through your trade association or local chamber of commerce.

Source: Michigan House Bill 4334, Section 601c(2), pages 26–27; tie-barred to HB4335 and SB683'25.