Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 722 / Act 33 of 1978
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.673 (2026)

Definitions.

✓ current as of July 2026
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DISSEMINATING, EXHIBITING, OR DISPLAYING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATTER TO MINORS


Act 33 of 1978


722.673 Definitions.

Sec. 3.

    As used in this part:

    (a) "Computer" means any connected, directly interoperable or interactive device, equipment, or facility that uses a computer program or other instructions to perform specific operations including logical, arithmetic, or memory functions with or on computer data or a computer program and that can store, retrieve, alter, or communicate the results of the operations to a person, computer program, computer, computer system, or computer network.

    (b) "Computer network" means the interconnection of hardwire or wireless communication lines with a computer through remote terminals, or a complex consisting of 2 or more interconnected computers.

    (c) "Computer program" means a series of internal or external instructions communicated in a form acceptable to a computer that directs the functioning of a computer, computer system, or computer network in a manner designed to provide or produce products or results from the computer, computer system, or computer network.

    (d) "Computer system" means a set of related, connected or unconnected, computer equipment, devices, software, or hardware.

    (e) "Device" includes, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, electrochemical, biochemical, hydraulic, optical, or organic object that performs input, output, or storage functions by the manipulation of electronic, magnetic, or other impulses.

    (f) "Sexually explicit matter" means sexually explicit visual material, sexually explicit verbal material, or sexually explicit performance.

    (g) "Sexually explicit performance" means a motion picture, video game, exhibition, show, representation, or other presentation that, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual excitement, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse.

    (h) "Sexually explicit verbal material" means a book, pamphlet, magazine, printed matter reproduced in any manner, or sound recording that contains an explicit and detailed verbal description or narrative account of sexual excitement, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse.

    (i) "Sexually explicit visual material" means a picture, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, video game, or similar visual representation that depicts nudity, sexual excitement, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse, or a book, magazine, or pamphlet that contains such a visual representation. An undeveloped photograph, mold, or similar visual material may be sexually explicit material notwithstanding that processing or other acts may be required to make its sexually explicit content apparent.

    (j) "Video game" means an object or device that stores recorded data or instructions generated by a person who uses it, and by processing the data or instructions creates an interactive game capable of being played, viewed, or experienced on or through a computer, gaming system, game console, or other technology.

History: 1978, Act 33, Eff. June 1, 1978 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 33, Eff. Aug. 1, 1999 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 192, Eff. Jan. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 104, Eff. Dec. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 107, Eff. Dec. 1, 2005

Constitutionality Notes:

    Act 33 of 1999 violates the First Amendment and the Dormant Commerce Clause of the US Constitution. Defendants are permanently restrained and enjoined from enforcing any provisions of 1999 PA 33. Cyberspace Communications, Inc v Engler, 142 F Supp 2d 827 (ED Mich, 2001).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1997–2025 · leading case: People v. Lockett, 295 Mich. App. 165 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012).
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People v. Lockett, 295 Mich. App. 165 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “671(c)(i), and “ ‘sexually explicit performance’ means a motion picture, video game, exhibition, show, representation, or other presentation that, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual excitement, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse,” *181 MCL…”
Cyberspace, Commc'ns, Inc. v. Engler, 55 F. Supp. 2d 737 (E.D. Mich. 1999). · cites it 2× “65(d), the Defendants — as well as their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and those persons in active concert or participation with Defendants — are hereby preliminarily enjoined from enforcing or threatening to enforce 1999 Public Act 33, which amends…”
Jott, Inc v. Clinton Charter Twp., 569 N.W.2d 841 (Mich. Ct. App. 1997). “579(362); and (3) material defined in MCL 722.673; MSA 25.254(3).”
Athenaco, Ltd. v. Cox, 335 F. Supp. 2d 773 (E.D. Mich. 2004). · cites it 2× “§ 722.673, .675, .677, M.S.A. § 25.254(3), (5), (7), see also, Cyberspace Communications v.”
Coleman v. Ann Arbor Transp. Auth., 904 F. Supp. 2d 670 (E.D. Mich. 2012). “362, or sexually explicit, as defined by MCL 722.673, and as such statutes shall be amended or supplemented.”
Athenaco, Ltd. v. Cox, 335 F. Supp. 2d 773 (E.D. Mich. 2004). · cites it 2× “§ 722.673, .675, .677, M.S.A. § 25.254(3), (5), (7), see also, Cyberspace Communications v.”
People of Michigan v. Richard Lee Hopkins (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “” MCL 722.673(f). “Sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Jason Lane Debandt (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 2× “673(i); see also MCL 722.673(f) (defining “sexually explicit matter” to include “sexually explicit visual material.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.673(c) — 2 cases
Athenaco, Ltd. v. Cox, 335 F. Supp. 2d 773 (E.D. Mich. 2004). “§ 722.673, .675, .677, M.S.A. § 25.254(3), (5), (7), see also, Cyberspace Communications v.”
Athenaco, Ltd. v. Cox, 335 F. Supp. 2d 773 (E.D. Mich. 2004). “§ 722.673, .675, .677, M.S.A. § 25.254(3), (5), (7), see also, Cyberspace Communications v.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.673(f) — 4 cases
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Richard Lee Hopkins (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “” MCL 722.673(f). “Sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Jason Lane Debandt (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “673(i); see also MCL 722.673(f) (defining “sexually explicit matter” to include “sexually explicit visual material.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.673(g) — 2 cases
People v. Lockett, 295 Mich. App. 165 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “671(c)(i), and “ ‘sexually explicit performance’ means a motion picture, video game, exhibition, show, representation, or other presentation that, in whole or in part, depicts nudity, sexual excitement, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse,” *181 MCL…”
People of Michigan v. Richard Lee Hopkins (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “” MCL 722.673(f). “Sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.673(i) — 4 cases
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Paul Edward Miller (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “” MCL 722.673(f). The term “sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Richard Lee Hopkins (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “” MCL 722.673(f). “Sexually explicit visual material” is defined in MCL 722.”
People of Michigan v. Jason Lane Debandt (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “673(i); see also MCL 722.673(f) (defining “sexually explicit matter” to include “sexually explicit visual material.”
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