Michigan Advocates Sought Elimination of PPO Fees

Officials and advocates are pushing to remove financial barriers for domestic violence survivors seeking protection.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a lone stone archway under a vast sky, evoking systemic protection. — Advocates and Michigan law enforcement officials are actively seeking the removal of mandatory fees for personal protection orders to better support domestic violence survivors. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should states eliminate fees for domestic violence survivors seeking court protection orders?

Advocates and law enforcement in Michigan have proposed eliminating mandatory fees for personal protection orders. The initiative aims to support survivors of domestic violence who often face financial abuse that limits their access to legal safety.

Why it matters

Personal protection orders are essential for stopping threats, violence, and harassment, yet current fees create a significant barrier for survivors. Removing these costs is seen as a crucial step to providing equitable access to safety for those enduring financial control.

Michigan remains one of 7 states that mandate fees for personal protection orders, which are legal tools used to halt violence and harassment. Legislative discussions are ongoing to remove this financial requirement.

The players

Genesee County Sheriff's Office

This law enforcement agency serves Genesee County and participated in the call to remove financial barriers for protective orders.

The details

Advocates and officials, including representatives from Washtenaw County and the Genesee County Sheriff's office, held a virtual conference to advance the proposal. They are currently engaged in talks with state lawmakers to move a bill toward the governor's desk.

September 30, 2026: The proposal for fee elimination was discussed during a virtual news conference.

Legal Context

This effort seeks to reform the current Michigan state fee structure for personal protection orders, which remains a primary obstacle for victims seeking legal recourse. The movement highlights a broader push to align state protections with national standards for survivor support.

Removing these fees would directly lower the financial threshold for survivors to obtain court-ordered protection from abusers. This change could lead to more timely filings of protective orders, significantly improving immediate safety for victims across the state.

The takeaway

Financial abuse often functions as a secondary tool of control in domestic violence cases by pricing survivors out of the legal system. Eliminating these costs ensures that a victim's safety is not contingent on their current access to monetary resources.