SB 521 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0520'25, SB 0705'25

This bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16w) to address cases involving minors exploited in prostitution. It specifically modifies how individuals aged 16 or younger are treated when found in a house of prostitution, shifting the focus from criminalization to victim support. The key change directs courts to prioritize rehabilitation and services for these minors rather than imposing standard criminal penalties. This policy change directly affects minors under 16 who are victims of exploitation, ensuring their cases are handled through a victim-centered approach.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Sep 4, 2025 Last action Jan 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate Substitute (S-1) · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill primarily updates the formatting and layout of a table listing specific prostitution and human trafficking offenses, rather than changing the laws themselves. The changes include adjusting column widths, removing extra spacing, and updating internal document tracking numbers, which are technical modifications intended to standardize the document's appearance.
TECHNICAL

The table listing criminal offenses was reformatted to remove excessive whitespace and align columns more tightly.

Internal document tracking codes and page numbers were updated to reflect the new version of the bill.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 38
Jan 28, 2026
D Democratic19
17 Yea 2
89% Yea
R Republican19
17 Yea 2
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
referred to Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
received on 01/28/2026
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 5 YEAS 34 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 3 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
upper
Dec 11, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
Dec 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 12/10/2025
upper
Sep 4, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
upper
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOHN DAMOOSE
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors