Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 800: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guideline for facility that receives or maintains an adult who requires residential psychiatric care when the facility's license has been revoked or suspended or it has refused to renew its license; enact. Amends sec. 13j, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13j). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0799'26

SB 800 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to add specific provisions for cases involving adults requiring residential psychiatric care who are placed in facilities with revoked, suspended, or unrenewed licenses. It directly affects courts and correctional facilities by establishing a new sentencing guideline (under MCL 777.13j) for such placements. The bill creates a standardized sentencing consideration when a facility loses its license but continues to house patients needing psychiatric care. This change ensures courts account for facility licensing status when determining sentences for these cases. (Note: The bill text provided does not include specific policy details beyond the title and amendment reference.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to ensure proper psychiatric care placement in licensed facilities, promoting rehabilitation and protecting civil rights within corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 5574: Crimes: public office and officers; intimidating or harassing an individual based on actual or perceived employment as a first responder; prohibit, and provide penalties. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 409c. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5575'26

HB 5574 prohibits approaching within 25 feet of a first responder who is lawfully performing their duties after being verbally warned not to approach, if the person intends to interfere, threaten, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who target first responders (like police, firefighters, or EMTs) during emergency operations. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail or $500 fines, but become felonies causing injury (up to 2 years) or death (up to 15 years), with fines up to $7,500. The law focuses on preventing direct obstruction or harm during critical incidents, not general public behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects first responders from harassment during duties, strengthening law enforcement safety and accountability within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 5527: Crimes: assaultive; elements of certain offenses; modify. Amends secs. 81d &167 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81d & 750.167).

HB 5527 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for assaulting public officials while they are performing their duties, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Penalties range from up to 2 years in prison for basic assault to up to 20 years for causing death, based on the severity of harm (e.g., bodily injury requiring medical care or serious impairment of body function). The bill also adds a provision clarifying that attending a protest is protected under the First Amendment and does not by itself violate disorderly conduct laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting public officials, expanding criminalization and opposing criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5537: Crimes: controlled substances; production and sale of kratom; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 473a.

HB 5537 prohibits the production, sale, or offering for sale of kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciose plant and synthetic variants like 7-hydroxymitragynine) in Michigan. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling kratom products, imposing misdemeanor penalties that escalate based on severity: up to 90 days in jail and $5,000 fines for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations or sales to minors. Sales to anyone under 18 carry enhanced penalties, including up to one year in jail and $10,000 fines for first offenses. The law defines "kratom" broadly to cover all plant parts, extracts, and synthetic forms, making these activities illegal under Michigan's penal code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits kratom sales with criminal penalties, expanding controlled substance laws and increasing criminalization rather than promoting reform or reducing penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5587: State agencies (proposed): other; grants for community violence intervention services; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5586'26

HB 5587 creates a state grant program to fund community-based violence prevention initiatives in areas with high homicide rates. It establishes a "community violence intervention and prevention fund" to award grants to eligible local governments (e.g., cities or counties with 35+ homicides in 2 of 3 years) or community nonprofits with proven experience addressing violence. Grants must support evidence-based strategies focused on trauma care, economic opportunities, and reducing violence without increasing incarceration, with at least 75% of funds directed to community organizations - not law enforcement. The program requires grantees to report on outcomes and coordinate with other violence prevention efforts, and mandates annual reports on best practices from the administering office.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community violence prevention programs with evidence-based strategies (trauma care, economic opportunities) to reduce homicides, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 802: Controlled substances: penalties; conduct associated with qualified psychoactive substances; exempt from criminal penalties in certain circumstances. Amends secs. 7401, 7403 & 7404 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401 et seq.).

SB 802 amends Michigan's controlled substances law to exempt non-commercial possession or distribution of specific psychoactive substances - including psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms"), MDMA, and LSD - from criminal penalties, provided no money or valuable item is exchanged for the substance itself. Individuals may still charge reasonable fees for related services like counseling or spiritual guidance when these substances are used under supervision. This change primarily affects people in religious, therapeutic, or community settings using these substances without commercial transactions. The bill does not legalize these substances for general use but modifies penalties for specific non-commercial activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes non-commercial possession/distribution of psychedelics, reducing criminal penalties and aligning with reform goals to decrease unnecessary incarceration and over-policing of drug use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 5528: Crimes: disorderly conduct; criteria for inciting a riot; clarify. Amends secs. 1 & 2 of 1968 PA 302 (MCL 752.541 & 752.542).

HB 5528 amends Michigan's 1968 riot law (MCL 752.541 and 752.542) to clarify the definitions of riot and incitement to riot. It specifies that a riot occurs when five or more people acting together cause public terror through violent conduct, and incitement to riot involves urging others to commit unlawful violence, property destruction, or interfere with law enforcement officers. The bill explicitly states that peaceful protests - protected under the First Amendment and Michigan's constitution - are not violations of these provisions. This affects individuals participating in public gatherings or protests by defining clear legal boundaries between protected activity and unlawful conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies riot law to explicitly protect peaceful protests (First Amendment), preventing overreach and advancing civil rights in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 801: Criminal procedure: search and seizure; protections against unlawful search and seizure; provide for. Amends sec. 15d, ch. IV of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 765.15d) & adds sec. 1h to ch. IV.

SB 801 prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping, detaining, or arresting individuals based solely on personal characteristics like race, ethnicity, language, religious affiliation, or perceived sexual orientation. It also bans officers from entering a dwelling using a federal administrative warrant. The bill amends existing law to clarify when federal officers may enforce state law (requiring state warrants or joint investigations) and specifies that such enforcement must comply with the new restrictions. These provisions directly affect all Michigan law enforcement officers (state and federal) and individuals subject to stops or searches under the bill's rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits discriminatory stops based on protected characteristics and clarifies warrant requirements, enhancing police accountability and civil rights protections in criminal procedure.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits discriminatory stops based on ethnicity/race and limits federal warrant use, reducing state cooperation with immigration enforcement and protecting immigrant communities from profiling.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 5576: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for intimidating or harassing an individual based on actual or perceived employment as a first responder; provide for. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5574'26

HB 5576 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes targeting first responders. It adds intimidation or harassment of individuals based on their actual or perceived employment as a first responder (like police, firefighters, or EMTs) to the list of offenses that warrant enhanced sentencing. The bill changes Section 16t of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16t) to require courts to consider this factor when determining sentences for such crimes. This directly affects individuals convicted of threatening or harassing first responders, ensuring their actions are treated with greater severity under sentencing rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to enhance penalties for crimes targeting first responders, strengthening protection for law enforcement within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 5586: State agencies (proposed): other; office of community violence intervention services; establish. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5587'26

HB 5586 creates a new "Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Services" within Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services. The office will administer grants to community-based nonprofits, track violence trends, set statewide goals to reduce shootings and homicides, and coordinate all state violence prevention efforts. It directly affects local governments, community organizations receiving grants, and state agencies managing the program. The bill establishes concrete requirements for data collection, technical assistance, and annual reporting to measure progress toward reducing community violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates violence prevention office with grants, tracking, and statewide goals to reduce shootings/homicides - directly advances criminal justice reform through community-based intervention.90% confidence

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