Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5120’25, HB 6033’26
Key claim: Michigan HB5121 proposes to eliminate the cost of service of process for personal protection orders by amending MCL 600.2950a and adding new statutory sections.
Abstract
(HB5121 · 103rd Legislature) Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5120’25, HB 6033’26 Latest action (2026-06-24): Referred To Second Reading
Why this matters
Petitioners seeking personal protection orders currently can be charged for having the order served, which advocates argue creates a financial barrier to safety for domestic violence and stalking victims. HB 5121’25 would eliminate that cost by amending MCL 600.2950a and adding new statutory sections, shifting the fiscal burden away from petitioners and onto counties, courts, or the state. The change intersects with ongoing trial court funding debates, since PPO service fees are part of the fee-based revenue stream courts and sheriffs currently rely on.