HB 4761 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Criminal procedure: sentencing; guidelines for sentencing individuals aged 18 to 21 to life without parole; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 25b to ch. IX.

HB 4761 would create new sentencing rules for individuals aged 18-20 convicted of specific violent offenses, including murder, certain drug crimes, and other offenses involving death. Prosecutors must file a motion requesting life without parole within 42 days of conviction (or 360 days after the bill's effective date for existing cases), or the court must impose a minimum 25-year sentence. The bill requires courts to consider factors from the *Miller v. Alabama* Supreme Court ruling during sentencing hearings, including the defendant's age and background. If life without parole isn't granted, defendants must serve at least 25 years (with a maximum of 60 years) and consecutive sentences for multiple related offenses. This bill directly affects young adult defendants, prosecutors, and courts handling these cases under Michigan's criminal procedure code.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Aug 12, 2025 Last action Aug 13, 2025
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Aug 12, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Judiciary
lower
Aug 12, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Sarah Lightner
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Sarah Lightner
Sarah Lightner
RRepublican
MI
45