Sometimes it feels as if the Upper Peninsula is an afterthought in Lansing but a recently introduced piece of legislation, Jordan D’s Law, has significant meaning to Marquette area residents.

The legislation is named after Jordan DeMay, who tragically took his own life in 2022 after becoming a victim of an online sextortion scheme.

The three bills of the proposed law work in unison to address an ever-growing issue facing internet users, particularly teens.

House Bill 5887 establishes penalties for individuals who intentionally threaten to release sexually explicit material to compel victims against their will.

HB 5888 outlines sentencing guidelines for sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion.

HB 5889 mandates collaboration between local school districts, the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan State Police and the attorney general’s office to implement educational policies on the new law. The boards of school districts, intermediate school districts and public school academies must implement a policy to educate their members on the sextortion law.

DeMay’s case made national news but its definitely not a unique case.

“With the FBI reporting a tenfold increase since 2021, affecting thousands of young people, we must act now to protect our children and hold predators accountable to prevent further tragedies,” said State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), one of the representatives that introduced the legislation.

The tragic case of Jordan DeMay has had a profound impact on not only those who knew him, but throughout our entire community.

We hope that this legislation becomes law and that it will prevent other communities from experiencing such tragedies.