Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) in Michigan

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6275: Criminal procedure: evidence; applicability of rules of evidence at preliminary examination; modify. Amends sec. 11b, ch. VI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 766.11b).

This bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6199: Financial institutions: mortgage brokers and lenders; consolidation of certain licensing statutes related to residential mortgages; make conforming changes in the Michigan penal code. Amends secs. 219e & 219f of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.219e & 750.219f). TIE BAR WITH: HB 6177'26

HB 6199 amends Michigan's penal code to strengthen laws against mortgage fraud by clarifying the criminal penalties for individuals who prepare or submit loan applications in someone else's name without their authorization. The bill explicitly prohibits receiving or forwarding such fraudulent applications or related financial instruments when the person knows or should know they are illegal. While the penalties for non-exempt individuals remain severe, including up to four years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500, the legislation provides specific exemptions for licensed financial institutions and their employees who handle these documents in good faith, such as when submitting them to law enforcement or credit bureaus. This update aims to align the state's fraud statutes with current mortgage industry practices and regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6157: Civil rights: public records; regulation of disclosure of certain information; provide for. Creates new act.

This bill, known as the Shielding Information for Lawful and Ethical Disclosure Act, prevents Michigan government agencies from sharing large amounts of personal data with federal immigration officials without specific authorization. It defines "bulk disclosure" as transferring data on multiple people without reviewing each case individually and allows such sharing only if a court order exists, the transfer serves a specific law enforcement purpose, or it is immediately necessary to protect health and safety. The law applies to all state, county, and municipal departments and officers, while giving the state attorney general the power to seek court orders to stop illegal data sharing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 6050: Torts: governmental immunity; governmental agency and employee liability for criminal sexual conduct; allow. Amends sec. 7 of 1964 PA 170 (MCL 691.1407) by adding sec. 7d.

This bill creates a specific exception to governmental immunity in Michigan, allowing public universities, colleges, and school districts to be sued for criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees. Under the new provisions, an institution can be held liable if it was negligent in hiring, supervising, or training the employee, or if it knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to report it to law enforcement. Additionally, liability may arise if the school district had prior knowledge of the employee's history of sexual misconduct and did not intervene to prevent further acts. The law clarifies that a criminal conviction is not required for a lawsuit to proceed, ensuring that victims can seek civil remedies even if the perpetrator avoids criminal charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 6128: State agencies (existing): generally; use of open fields doctrine by law enforcement officers and state agencies; prohibit. Creates new act.

This bill prohibits law enforcement officers and state agency employees in Michigan from using the "open fields doctrine" during searches. The open fields doctrine is a legal rule that currently allows police to search open areas without a warrant, but this legislation would remove that exception for state-level searches. As a result, any search conducted by these officials in open fields would require a warrant or another valid legal justification. The law directly affects state departments, boards, and commissions, as well as the officers and agents who work for them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 1016: State agencies (proposed): other; grants for community violence intervention services; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 1015'26

This bill establishes a new grant program and fund to support community violence intervention and prevention efforts in Michigan. It directs state funding to eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations that meet specific criteria, such as having high homicide rates or a demonstrated need to address violence. The grants must be used for evidence-based strategies that utilize trauma-informed care, expand economic opportunities, and avoid contributing to mass incarceration. Furthermore, the legislation requires that at least 75% of any grant given to a local government be passed on to community-based or nonprofit groups, ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not receive these specific funds. The bill also mandates regular reporting on financial use and program outcomes to ensure accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · Michigan · House May 13, 2026

HB 5950: Traffic control: driver license; communication impediment decal for vehicles; provide for. Amends sec. 5 of 2008 PA 23 (MCL 28.305). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5949'26

This bill amends Michigan's enhanced driver license and identification card laws to allow individuals to voluntarily include a "communication impediment" designation on their ID. The designation is intended for people with conditions like deafness or autism that may hinder communication with police officers. Under the new rules, law enforcement personnel with authorized access to a specific state network would be able to view this designation. The bill also clarifies privacy protections, ensuring that Social Security numbers and other personal data are not printed on the front of the card. Additionally, it establishes procedures for the Secretary of State to cancel or revoke this designation if the underlying health condition no longer exists, following a notice and hearing process for the cardholder.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy

in committee · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5930: Property: land sales; property eligible for forfeiture; modify. Amends sec. 4702 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.4702). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5928'26, HB 5929'26

This bill modifies Michigan's laws regarding the seizure and forfeiture of property connected to criminal activities. It directly affects property owners, creditors, and law enforcement agencies by clarifying which assets can be taken by the government. The legislation updates rules on what constitutes forfeitable property, specifically protecting primary residences of spouses and children unless they knew about and agreed to the crime, while also detailing protections for homeowners with unpaid land contracts and security interests. Additionally, it sets limits on how much money can be recovered from substituted proceeds, ensuring the government only takes the value of the original crime proceeds plus specific legal costs. The bill will only become effective if two related companion bills are also passed by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

passed · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HR 310: A resolution to declare May 10-16, 2026, as Police Week in the state of Michigan.

This resolution designates the week of May 10-16, 2026, as Police Week throughout the state of Michigan to honor law enforcement officers. The measure directly affects the state legislature and serves as a formal recognition for the approximately 18,000 full-time uniformed police officers serving in Michigan. By adopting this declaration, the House of Representatives acknowledges the bravery and sacrifices of current officers and those who have died in the line of duty. The primary action is symbolic, establishing a specific timeframe for citizens and officials to express appreciation for public safety workers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Michigan · House May 13, 2026

HB 5951: Law enforcement: other; law enforcement use of a chemical agent or kinetic energy projectile in certain situations; restrict. Creates new act.

This Michigan bill restricts law enforcement officers from using chemical agents, such as pepper spray, or kinetic energy projectiles like rubber bullets to disperse protests or demonstrations. Instead of allowing broad use for crowd control, the law permits these tools only when an officer is properly trained and when their use is objectively necessary to prevent a threat to life or serious bodily injury. To ensure accountability, the bill requires agencies to submit detailed reports within 60 days of any such incident, documenting the event details, the specific tools used, the number of rounds fired, any injuries sustained, and the de-escalation steps taken before resorting to force. Additionally, agencies must publish these reports on their websites and may request a 30-day extension if needed to complete the submission.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills