Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 4844: Children: guardians; jurisdiction involving minors; revise. Amends sec. 2, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.2).

HB 4844 amends Michigan's Probate Code to clarify when juvenile courts have exclusive authority over minors under 18. It specifies situations where courts can handle cases involving minors who: (1) violate certain criminal laws (like weapons offenses or specific misdemeanors), (2) repeatedly miss school after counseling attempts, (3) face neglect or unsafe home environments, or (4) are homeless or run away. The bill defines key terms like "learning program" and "neglect" to align with existing state codes. This revision directly affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and families navigating custody or welfare cases involving minors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects minor criminal cases (weapons offenses, misdemeanors) to juvenile courts for rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by avoiding adult system entanglement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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signed · Michigan · House Jul 29, 2026

HB 4518: Law enforcement: reports; Michigan Amber alert act; modify. Amends title & sec. 3 of 2002 PA 712 (MCL 28.753).

HB 4518 modifies Michigan's Amber Alert Act to require law enforcement agencies to submit missing child alert reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children within 24 hours of activating an alert. This change directly affects Michigan police departments and state agencies that use the Amber Alert system. The bill updates existing law by replacing prior reporting timelines with a specific 24-hour deadline for submissions. This policy adjustment aims to expedite information sharing during missing child cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 24-hour submission of missing child reports to NCMEC, expediting information sharing for law enforcement response efficiency in missing children cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 11, 2025

HB 4859: Law enforcement: other; immigration enforcement at certain locations; prohibit in certain circumstances. Creates new act.

HB 4859 prohibits law enforcement officers from conducting immigration enforcement actions (like arrests, interviews, or searches) in specific sensitive locations, including schools, places of worship, hospitals, courthouses, and facilities serving vulnerable populations. The bill allows exceptions only if a court orders entry or if an immediate threat to public safety requires action. It directly affects law enforcement officers operating in Michigan and individuals present at these locations, such as students, patients, and worshippers. The law creates clear boundaries for immigration enforcement to protect access to essential services and community spaces.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement actions in sensitive locations, protecting civil rights and community trust - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like enhanced police accountability.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state law enforcement from conducting immigration actions in sensitive locations, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement and protecting immigrants from targeted actions in schools, hospitals, etc.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 16, 2025

HB 4944: Criminal procedure: other; right to due process; provide for. Amends sec. 13, ch. IV of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 764.13) & adds sec. 1a to ch. III.

HB 4944 requires police to clearly inform individuals arrested for criminal offenses about their rights. Specifically, it mandates that officers advise arrestees of their right to remain silent, their right to have an attorney present during questioning, and that anything they say may be used against them in court. This directly affects people arrested for crimes in Michigan, ensuring they receive these standard due process warnings upon arrest. The bill amends Michigan's criminal procedure code to add this requirement as a new Section 1a in Chapter III.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police to provide Miranda warnings (right to silence, attorney, use of statements), protecting arrestees' due process rights and civil liberties per criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 257: Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; extend period of limitations, and add grace period for past occurrences. Amends sec. 5851b of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5851b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 258'25, SB 259'25

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

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for minor victims of criminal sexual conduct, enabling delayed civil claims - aligns with victim rights reform in criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4260: Sales tax: distribution; distribution of certain sales tax revenue into the public safety and violence prevention fund; provide for. Amends sec. 25 of 1933 PA 167 (MCL 205.75). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4261'25

HB 4260 redirects $115 million annually from Michigan's 4% general sales tax revenue into the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund starting with the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This change affects state budget allocations, shifting funds previously going to the general fund toward public safety and violence prevention programs. The bill amends Michigan's General Sales Tax Act (MCL 205.75) to establish this specific annual transfer, with the amount adjusted based on actual tax collections. It does not create new taxes but reallocates existing revenue streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $115M annual sales tax revenue to public safety fund, increasing funding for public safety programs via budget reallocation per MCL 205.75.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects $115M annually to Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund, directly funding programs aligned with criminal justice reform and public safety priorities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 340: Law enforcement: records; reference to the law enforcement officer separation of service record act in the Bullard-Plawecki employee right to know act; update and include release of provisional service records. Amends secs. 7 & 9 of 1978 PA 397 (MCL 423.507 & 423.509). TIE BAR WITH: SB 339'25

SB 340 amends Michigan's Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act (MCL 423.507, 423.509) to clarify when law enforcement agencies can share personnel records. It updates rules for releasing "provisional service records" and separation-of-service records under related laws (2017 PA 128), ensuring these specific records are exempt from standard deletion rules. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to note if investigations into employee conduct were unfounded and prohibits using old investigation files for future hiring or promotions. It directly affects police departments, training academies, and the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards when handling employee records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnhances police accountability by requiring documentation of unfounded investigations and preventing misuse of old records in personnel files.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SB 263: Public employees and officers: compensation and benefits; retention program for certain public employees; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 262'25

Senate Bill 263, known as the "state employee critical shortage retention program act," establishes a bonus payment program for certain public employees in Michigan. It requires specific state departments, including the Departments of Corrections and State Police, to provide bonuses to "qualified employees." These employees, such as conservation officers and certain corrections or state police personnel, can receive $5,000 for completing two years of service by September 30, 2026. An additional $5,000 is available for completing another two years of service by September 30, 2028, with a maximum total bonus of $10,000 per employee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides retention bonuses for corrections/state police staff, strengthening workforce stability in criminal justice agencies.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBonuses for conservation officers directly support environmental protection roles by incentivizing retention in conservation enforcement positions.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $5,000 retention bonuses to critical public employees (e.g., corrections/state police), directly expanding compensation benefits for specific worker groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees

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passed · Michigan · House Jun 16, 2026

HB 4070: Courts: other; Michigan indigent defense commission act; expand duties to include indigent defense of youth. Amends title & secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21 & 23 of 2013 PA 93 (MCL 780.983 et seq.) & adds sec. 14.

HB 4070 expands Michigan's Indigent Defense Commission's responsibilities to include providing legal representation for young people (under 18) in juvenile court cases who qualify as indigent. The bill amends existing law to require the Commission to establish minimum standards ensuring effective legal counsel for both adults and youth in criminal and juvenile proceedings, starting from their initial court appearance. It specifically adds youth defense services to the Commission's duties, defining "indigent youth" as those under 18 facing delinquency charges who cannot afford legal help. This change directly affects young people in juvenile court systems who meet income-based eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands indigent defense to include youth in juvenile court with minimum standards for effective counsel, ensuring legal representation for vulnerable defendants and advancing fair criminal justice system reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 4676: Mental health: guardians; appointing certain guardians after considering least restrictive means; require. Amends sec. 602 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1602).

HB 4676 amends Michigan's mental health guardianship law to require courts and guardians to prioritize the "least restrictive means" when appointing guardians for individuals with mental health conditions. This directly affects people needing court-appointed guardianship due to mental health challenges, such as those with severe depression, schizophrenia, or developmental disabilities. The key provision mandates that guardians and courts must first consider less restrictive options - like supported living arrangements or limited guardianship - before imposing full guardianship. This change aims to preserve individual autonomy and minimize unnecessary restrictions on personal decision-making.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrioritizes least restrictive mental health guardianship, reducing unnecessary court involvement and aligning with criminal justice reform principles to address root causes of system involvement.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires courts/guardians to prioritize least restrictive options for mental health guardianship, advancing patient autonomy and care standards in mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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