Within the season of giving, a recently signed plan offered by state Rep. Jim Lilly will allow unclaimed property in the possession of law enforcement agencies to be donated and put to good use within their communities.

Current law prohibits law enforcement from donating stolen or abandoned property that is not reclaimed by a rightful owner within six months. The property instead must be sold and the auction process can be costly and time-consuming for a local law enforcement agency – with little or no recuperated funds.

House Bill 5718, which became Public Act 546 of 2018, allows for donation to an eligible and approved recipient once the piece of property has officially gone unclaimed – keeping in place the same six-month window. The new law acts similarly to the current donation exception made for bicycles.

“There are many assorted items that end up in the possession of law enforcement, but the way the law is written right now is narrow and restrictive. It only allows for those items to eventually be sold or thrown away if they are unclaimed after the designated period,” said Lilly, of Park Township. “If these items are in good shape, we should allow local schools, community colleges, charities, church organizations, homeless shelters and other entities to put them to good use. This change is a good way for law enforcement to be active in their communities and provides organizations with items they may need instead of forcing them to buy.”

The plan had advanced unanimously in votes by the Michigan House and Senate in December before becoming law.