SB 81 expands Michigan's Indigent Defense Commission's duties to include providing effective legal representation for indigent youth (those under 18 facing juvenile court cases). The bill amends the existing law to require the Commission to establish minimum standards for youth defense services, ensuring they meet constitutional requirements for "effective assistance of counsel." It specifically defines "youth" and clarifies that indigent criminal defense services for youth must begin at their initial court appearance. This change directly affects juvenile defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, ensuring they receive legally required representation under the same standards applied to adults.
HB 4396 amends Michigan's Juvenile Diversion Act to permit researchers to access certain juvenile justice records for research purposes under strict safeguards. It requires researchers to submit requests to the state court administrative office, obtain approval, and sign a data use agreement that protects personally identifiable information from public disclosure. The agreement must prevent misuse and exempt the data from public disclosure under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. This change directly affects researchers studying juvenile justice outcomes, not the minors involved in cases.
SB 294 strengthens Michigan's animal cruelty laws by increasing penalties for harming companion animals (like pets and service animals) and adding new requirements for convicted individuals. It classifies offenses into three degrees (with first-degree punishable by up to 10 years in prison) and mandates courts to order restitution for animal care costs, including veterinary treatment and shelter. The bill also allows courts to prohibit convicted individuals from owning animals for a specified period or permanently. Exemptions cover lawful activities like hunting, farming, and veterinary care. This law directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty, particularly those targeting companion animals.
Senate Bill 78 revises the procedures and eligibility requirements for setting aside, or expunging, certain criminal convictions in Michigan. The bill defines how multiple, contemporaneous offenses can be treated as a single conviction for expungement, with exclusions for specific serious crimes. It also adjusts which types of convictions are ineligible for expungement, creating an exception for first-time operating while intoxicated offenses under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill modifies the required waiting periods for applying to set aside convictions, ranging from 3 to 7 years, and requires applicants to have no pending charges or new convictions during these periods.
SB 592 requires Michigan's corrections department to provide reentry services (excluding housing), temporary housing, and vital documents (like birth certificates) to prisoners whose convictions were overturned due to specific Supreme Court rulings (e.g., *Miller v. Alabama* or *People v. Parks*). These services must be offered for up to 2 years after release for reentry services and 1 year for housing. The bill mandates timely assignment of staff to ensure these supports are delivered, with repayment required if a prisoner's conviction is later reinstated. It directly affects individuals released after resentencing in cases involving juvenile sentencing laws.
This bill amends the Michigan Amber Alert Act to expand when the state's Amber Alert system can be activated for missing children. It requires the Department of State Police to issue an Amber Alert for any missing child with special needs or for any missing child who law enforcement believes is in danger after a preliminary investigation. The bill defines "child with special needs" as someone under 26 who has a qualifying impairment, requires special education services, and has not yet graduated high school. The legislation also establishes that this act may be known as the "Rowan Act" and was introduced by Senator Sean McCann in March 2026.
This bill updates Michigan's Child Abduction Broadcast Act to rename it the Child Abduction and Missing Child Broadcast Act and expand how radio and television stations can share information about missing children. It allows broadcasters to disseminate child abduction alerts through various channels, including social media, when they receive information from the Michigan Department of State Police under the existing Amber Alert system. The legislation also provides legal immunity to broadcasters who accurately share this information from the state police. The bill will not take effect unless it is passed together with a companion bill, SB 892.
SB 463 removes criminal penalties and civil fines for minors (under 18) who purchase, possess, or use tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products. The bill eliminates existing legal consequences for these minor offenses, shifting focus away from punishment. It directly affects underage individuals by ending enforcement of penalties under current law (MCL 722.642). The key provision is a "sunset" of these penalties, meaning they would no longer apply once the bill takes effect.
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.
SB 520 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for certain prostitution-related offenses. It raises the maximum penalty for basic violations (under sections 462b-462d) from 10 years to 20 years in prison and from $10,000 to $20,000 in fines. The bill specifically targets individuals who violate these sections, including those operating or facilitating commercial sex, and updates penalties for more severe outcomes like bodily injury or serious harm. These changes apply to anyone convicted under the amended sections of the law. The bill does not alter the scope of prohibited conduct, only the severity of potential punishments.
