Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 258: A resolution calling on Congress to investigate all of the individuals implicated in the Epstein files and compel them to testify under oath.

This House resolution calls on Congress to investigate individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein and require them to testify under oath. It directly affects high-profile figures across technology, finance, real estate, and government who have been implicated in Epstein's criminal network. The resolution asserts that current Department of Justice actions have failed to protect survivors or fully disclose information, citing concerns over redacted names and unredacted photos of victims. It seeks to use congressional authority to compel testimony from those who participated in or covered up Epstein's crimes. The measure was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks accountability for individuals in criminal justice network, promotes transparency and survivor protection, strengthens law enforcement oversight85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 16, 2025

HB 5355: Housing: other; Michigan fair chance access to housing act; create. Creates new act.

HB 5355, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from requiring or considering an applicant's criminal record during initial rental screening. Landlords must issue a conditional offer after checking income, credit, or rental history, then may only consider specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or sex offenses requiring registration) or recent felonies within 3 years after a conditional offer is made. Landlords must disclose if they consider criminal records and allow applicants to submit evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating factors before denying housing. This bill directly affects landlords across Michigan and rental applicants with criminal records, aiming to reduce barriers to housing based solely on past convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits landlords from considering criminal records in initial screening, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote fair housing access for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminal record discrimination in rentals, strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing access per bill's explicit screening restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Dec 16, 2025

SB 738: Housing: other; Michigan fair chance access to housing act; create. Creates new act.

SB 738, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from asking about or denying rental applications based solely on an applicant's criminal record before issuing a conditional offer. It directly affects renters with criminal histories and requires landlords to provide written notice about criminal record screening before collecting application fees. Key provisions include banning pre-offer inquiries into criminal history (except for federal requirements), allowing landlords to consider only specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or recent sex offenses requiring registration) after a conditional offer, and mandating an individualized assessment with mitigating evidence for denials. Landlords must also disclose if criminal records are part of their screening process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits pre-offer criminal record inquiries in housing, reducing barriers for renters with records and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and promoting rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination by banning pre-offer criminal record inquiries, protecting tenants with criminal histories per bill's explicit prohibitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5011: Juveniles: criminal procedure; expunction of crimes resulting from being a victim of human trafficking; expand. Amends sec. 18e, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.18e).

HB 5011 would allow juveniles who were victims of human trafficking to have related criminal records sealed. It amends Michigan’s existing expungement law (MCL 712A.18e) to specifically include offenses committed while a juvenile was a trafficking victim, removing a barrier that previously prevented sealing such records. The bill applies to juveniles with up to one felony-level offense or three misdemeanor-level offenses directly tied to trafficking, as defined under current law. This change would enable victims to clear records that might otherwise hinder education, employment, or housing opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes barrier to sealing trafficking victim juveniles' records, aiding rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risk per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5012: Crimes: human trafficking; safe harbor protection for minors who are victims of sex and labor trafficking; modify certain requirements. Amends sec. 451 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.451).

HB 5012 creates a legal presumption that minors under 18 charged with offenses related to sex or labor trafficking (such as commercial sexual exploitation) were coerced by traffickers, requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise to override this presumption. It mandates law enforcement to report suspected trafficking involving minors to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services within 24 hours, triggering an investigation to determine if the minor is in danger of harm. The state must then petition the court to place the minor under protective services under specific dependency laws. This bill directly affects minors who are trafficking victims and shifts their legal handling from criminal prosecution toward victim support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption minors were coerced in trafficking cases, requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise and mandating victim protection protocols, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5013: Criminal procedure: trial; qualifications of expert witnesses in human trafficking cases; modify. Amends sec. 462g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.462g).

HB 5013 modifies Michigan's criminal procedure law (MCL 750.462g) to clarify rules for expert testimony in human trafficking prosecutions. It allows qualified experts - such as those with specialized training in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services - to testify about typical victim behaviors and responses in trafficking cases. The bill also prohibits such experts from commenting on witness credibility and protects victims by ensuring truthful testimony cannot be used against them in criminal cases (except for perjury). This directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and victims in human trafficking trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies expert testimony rules in trafficking cases to protect victims and ensure fair trials, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and procedural fairness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5009: Criminal procedure: expunction; criminal convictions that may be set aside on grounds of being a victim of human trafficking; expand. Amends sec. 1 of 1965 PA 213 (MCL 780.621).

HB 5009 expands Michigan's expungement law to allow individuals convicted of offenses under MCL 750.448-450 (related to human trafficking crimes) to have those convictions set aside if they committed the offense as a direct result of being a human trafficking victim. This applies to people who were trafficked victims at the time of the offense, while still requiring applicants to meet the existing limits under the law (e.g., no more than 3 total felony convictions). The bill amends MCL 780.621 to add this exception, ensuring trafficking victims can seek relief without exceeding standard eligibility thresholds. It directly affects survivors of human trafficking who have convictions for specific offenses tied to their victimization.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement for human trafficking victims, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for victims and promoting rehabilitation instead of punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 520: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 462f of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.462f).

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum penalties for prostitution offenses from 10 to 20 years prison and $10k to $20k fines, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5016: Crimes: prostitution; offenses of and references to prostitute and prostitution; modify in the Michigan penal code. Amends secs. 13, 159g, 167, 411j, 448, 449, 450, 451, 451a, 451c, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 462 & 520m of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.13 et seq.) & repeals sec. 449a of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.449a). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5017'25, HB 5018'25, HB 5019'25, HB 5015'25, HB 5014'25, HB 5028'25, HB 5020'25, HB 5021'25, HB 5027'25, HB 5022'25, HB 5023'25, HB 5024'25, HB 5025'25, HB 5026'25

HB 5016 updates Michigan's penal code by replacing outdated terms like "prostitute" and "prostitution" with modern, less stigmatizing language such as "person engaged in commercial sexual activity." It specifically amends Section 167 to remove "common prostitute" from the definition of a disorderly person, changing the language to focus on conduct rather than labeling individuals. This bill directly affects how the law refers to and potentially prosecutes individuals involved in commercial sexual activity under current statutes. The changes aim to align terminology with contemporary legal standards without altering the underlying criminal penalties for related offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends penal code to replace stigmatizing terms like 'prostitute' with modern language focusing on conduct, reducing bias in criminal justice application per reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 705: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for leasing houses for purposes of prostitution; modify. Amends secs. 448, 449, 450, 451, 454 & 462 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.448 et seq.).

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat prostitution offenses (felonies for two prior), taking a punitive stance on sentencing, with minor victim protections as secondary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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