Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 4167: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for illicit use of xylazine; provide for. Amends sec. 13m, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13m).

HB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds xylazine to sentencing guidelines, expanding criminalization of drug offenses without reform measures or reduced penalties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SB 24: Juveniles: juvenile justice services; certain information sharing for research purposes in juvenile justice cases; allow. Amends sec. 9 of 1988 PA 13 (MCL 722.829).

SB 24 amends Michigan's Juvenile Diversion Act to allow researchers to access certain juvenile justice records for research purposes, while strictly protecting minors' privacy. It requires researchers to obtain a data use agreement with the state court administrative office, which must include safeguards against public disclosure of personally identifiable information like names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The bill prohibits using these records for any purpose other than research, with violations punishable by fines or up to 180 days in jail. This directly affects researchers, courts, and the state court administrative office, ensuring research access does not compromise minor confidentiality or interfere with diversion decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables research on juvenile justice records with privacy safeguards, supporting evidence-based reforms in criminal justice systems and rehabilitation programs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict data privacy safeguards for juvenile justice research records, explicitly protecting personally identifiable information per data privacy policy indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 4174: Juveniles: other; presumption of admissibility for a juvenile's self-incriminating responses obtained through deceptive police practices; modify. Amends sec. 1, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.1) & adds sec. 17e to ch. XIIA.

HB 4174 modifies Michigan's juvenile justice code to establish a presumption that self-incriminating statements made by juveniles during police interrogations are admissible in court if obtained through deceptive practices (e.g., false promises of leniency or misleading statements about evidence). The bill directly affects juveniles under 18 facing delinquency proceedings and law enforcement officers who may use deceptive tactics during interrogations. Keyly, it amends the Probate Code to add Section 17e, shifting the standard so such statements are presumed admissible unless the court finds the deception was "unreasonably coercive." This changes current practice by making it harder to exclude statements obtained through deception, impacting how juvenile confessions are handled in court.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes presumption that deceptive police tactics (e.g., false promises) make juvenile confessions admissible, reducing defendant rights in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 15, 2025

HJR I: Crimes: other; exception to prohibition on slavery; eliminate. Amends sec. 9, art. I of the state constitution.

This bill proposes amending Michigan's state constitution to remove the exception allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. It would change Article I, Section 9 to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude "in all cases," eliminating the current constitutional allowance for forced labor in criminal sentencing. The change directly affects Michigan's criminal justice system by banning a legal basis for forced labor under state law. This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would make Michigan the first state to fully abolish this exception in its constitution. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends constitution to ban forced labor in sentencing, eliminating a civil rights violation and advancing criminal justice reform by removing constitutional exception for involuntary servitude.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4337: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; provide for. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4336'25

House Bill 4337 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure. It specifically modifies section 16t of chapter XVII (MCL 777.16t), which pertains to sentencing guidelines. The bill aims to establish new sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons. This change would directly affect those charged with this specific crime and the courts responsible for their sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates specific sentencing guidelines for harboring undocumented persons, expanding criminalization of immigration-related offenses per indicators.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationAmends sentencing guidelines for 'bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons,' increasing penalties for aiding undocumented immigrants, aligning with restrictive enforcement measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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signed · Michigan · Senate Jul 29, 2026

SB 81: 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.

SB 81 expands Michigan's Indigent Defense Commission's duties to include providing effective legal representation for indigent youth (those under 18 facing juvenile court cases). The bill amends the existing law to require the Commission to establish minimum standards for youth defense services, ensuring they meet constitutional requirements for "effective assistance of counsel." It specifically defines "youth" and clarifies that indigent criminal defense services for youth must begin at their initial court appearance. This change directly affects juvenile defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, ensuring they receive legally required representation under the same standards applied to adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands indigent defense for youth to meet constitutional 'effective assistance of counsel' standards, strengthening defendant rights in juvenile justice.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

passed · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SR 53: A resolution to recognize May 2025 as Treatment Court Month.

This resolution formally recognizes May 2025 as Treatment Court Month. It is a symbolic measure by the Senate to acknowledge the role and work of treatment courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRecognizes treatment courts, which reduce recidivism through rehabilitation - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 318: Corrections: other; responsibility for nonemergency medical, dental, or optometric services; modify. Amends sec. 67a of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.267a).

Senate Bill 318 amends Michigan's Corrections Code, modifying the financial responsibility for medical services provided to prisoners. Under this bill, prisoners who intentionally injure themselves will be responsible for the entire cost of the emergency medical care they receive for those injuries. This means they will pay the full amount, rather than a copayment, for treatment of self-inflicted harm. The bill directly affects prisoners within Michigan's correctional facilities and the Department of Corrections' administration of medical costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts full medical costs to prisoners for self-inflicted injuries, increasing financial burden and opposing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 170: Appropriations: judiciary; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

SB 170 is a budget bill that allocates $393.39 million in state funds to support Michigan's judiciary for fiscal year 2025-2026. It directly funds court operations, including the Supreme Court ($102.8 million), Court of Appeals ($27.7 million), and judicial salaries for approximately 591 judges across all courts. Key provisions include funding for court administration, problem-solving courts, technology systems, and specialized programs like foster care review and drug treatment courts. The bill specifies exact amounts for each judicial branch and program without changing existing laws or creating new policies. This is a routine funding measure for the state's court system, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $393M to judiciary funding court operations and public services, directly advancing state budget appropriations for essential government functions.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds problem-solving courts and drug treatment programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Judges

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 169: Appropriations: department of corrections; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.25B for corrections department operations, staff, and inmate programs, directly funding public services per appropriation act.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds inmate reentry, vocational programs, and staff - directly supports rehabilitation and recidivism reduction per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Probation & Parole

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