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 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.
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.
SB 705 amends Michigan's prostitution laws (MCL 750.448-451, 454, 462) to adjust penalties for repeat offenses, require mandatory reporting of minors involved in prostitution, and establish diversion programs. It increases penalties to misdemeanors (up to 93 days/$500) for first offenses, felonies (up to 5 years/$4,000) for two or more prior convictions, and adds a presumption of coercion for minors (under 18) involved in prostitution - requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise. The bill mandates law enforcement to report minors to health services within 24 hours and requires investigations into potential human trafficking. It directly affects individuals engaging in prostitution, property owners leasing for such purposes, and law enforcement handling cases involving minors.
SB 217 increases penalties for drivers who commit moving violations (like speeding or reckless driving) that cause physical injury or death to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable roadway users. It amends Michigan's criminal code (MCL 777.12e) to enhance the penalties for these specific offenses. The bill directly affects drivers whose actions result in harm to non-motorized road users, raising the legal consequences for such incidents.
Senate Bill 257 extends the time limit for civil lawsuits filed by individuals who were victims of criminal sexual conduct as minors. It raises the age by which a victim can file a claim from 28 to 42 years old and increases the period for filing after discovering the injury from three to seven years. The bill also allows these lawsuits to be brought at any time if a criminal conviction for the
Senate Bill 258 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act of 1961, which governs the time limits for filing civil lawsuits. The bill modifies the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages related to criminal sexual conduct. It achieves this by changing the definition of "criminal sexual conduct" that applies to the 10-year limitation period, directing the definition to a separate
Senate Bill 260 amends Michigan's governmental immunity act, specifically for public universities, colleges, and school districts. It removes their immunity from tort liability in cases of criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees or agents. These institutions can be held liable if they were negligent in hiring, supervision, or training, or if they had knowledge of the conduct and failed to report it to law enforcement. However, liability is only imposed if the institution also had prior knowledge of the individual's propensity for or previous acts of criminal sexual conduct and failed to intervene to prevent the subsequent conduct.
This bill allocates $2.25 billion in state funding for Michigan's Department of Corrections for fiscal year 2025-2026. It covers administrative costs (including staff salaries and pensions), inmate reentry programs (like education and job training), parole services, and facility operations (including body-worn cameras and housing). The funding directly supports 13,207 correctional staff positions and services for inmates, such as vocational programs and transitional housing. It does not create new programs but provides budgetary support for existing department functions.
