Almost two years after his death, legislation inspired by the death of Joshua Conant is set for review at a hearing on Thursday, November 13.
Conant, who was 26 years old when he died, was killed early on November 4, 2023 after he was restrained on the ground by Roche Bar bouncers during a fight he was allegedly trying to break up. When Port Huron Police officers arrived on scene, they helped secure the 26-year-old man being held down by bar staff before recognizing that the man was unresponsive.
Despite the efforts of officers, EMS and McLaren medical staff, Conant was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
The legislation, presented across House Bills 5060 and 5061 and together known as the “Joshua Conant Act,” was presented by State Rep. Joseph Pavlov, a Republican from Smiths Creek who represents northern St. Clair County and Sanilac County’s Worth Township, on Friday, September 26, 2025.
The bills would require bars and similar establishments to only hire security personnel trained in handling positional asphyxiation, as well as establishing a responsible vendor designation for establishments that provide employees with an approved server training program within 60 days of employment.
The legislation follows Port Huron’s city council approving a similar ordinance earlier this year in March. The November 13th hearing will see Conant’s friends and family testifying, as well as Port Huron City Manager James Freed.
Also sponsoring the house bills is State Rep. Greg Alexander of Carsonville.
