Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights) in Michigan

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1035: Criminal procedure: DNA; postconviction DNA testing; modify. Amends sec. 16, ch. X of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 770.16).

This bill modifies Michigan's existing laws regarding post-conviction DNA testing for individuals convicted of felonies. It allows defendants to petition the court for DNA testing of biological evidence collected during their original investigation, with specific conditions for those convicted before and after January 8, 2001. The legislation outlines the process for requesting testing, including requirements to prove the evidence is available and relevant to the case, and establishes rules for handling the results. If the testing excludes the defendant as the source of the evidence, the court must appoint counsel and hold a hearing to decide if a new trial is warranted. Additionally, the bill ensures that victims receive written notice of these petitions and hearings when the victim's identity is known.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 909: Civil procedure: remedies; wrongful imprisonment compensation act; modify evidence requirements. Amends secs. 2, 4, 5 & 7 of 2016 PA 343 (MCL 691.1752 et seq.).

Senate Bill 909 modifies Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act to clarify the rules for individuals seeking financial compensation after being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. The bill updates legal definitions for terms like 'new evidence' and 'plaintiff' while establishing specific requirements for filing a compensation claim, such as proving innocence through new evidence or a gubernatorial pardon. It also introduces a process to notify victims of the original crime about compensation applications and outlines how discovery and legal arguments will proceed during these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 5448: Corrections: parole; impact statements by certain witnesses; allow. Amends sec. 35 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.235) & adds sec. 35a.

HB 5448 amends Michigan's parole procedures to require the parole board to consider impact statements from certain witnesses, including crime victims, when reviewing parole applications. It directly affects prisoners seeking parole, parole board members, and crime victims who wish to share how a crime impacted them. Key mechanisms include adding a new provision (Section 35a) for submitting impact statements, clarifying that parole boards cannot deny parole without an interview in most cases (except for low-probability cases), and prohibiting consideration of expunged juvenile records or inaccurate information. The bill also mandates a 90-day parole eligibility report detailing a prisoner's conduct, work, education, and risk assessment, while explicitly banning the parole board from basing denials solely on marital history or unconvicted arrests.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · House Dec 16, 2025

HB 5361: Crimes: animals; restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; impose penalty on ownership of animal to person convicted of certain crimes against animal. Amends sec. 50b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.50b).

HB 5361 strengthens penalties for animal cruelty in Michigan by requiring courts to order convicted offenders to pay restitution for the care, housing, and veterinary treatment of seized companion animals (like pets or service animals). It clarifies that companion animals receive enhanced protections, with stricter penalties for intentional harm (e.g., killing or torturing a pet). The bill mandates restitution covering investigation, prosecution, and animal care costs - not previously required - and prohibits convicted individuals from owning animals during probation or permanently. It excludes lawful activities like hunting, farming, or veterinary care from these provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · House Dec 23, 2025

HB 5409: Crime victims: compensation; crime victim compensation for certain pet expenses; provide for. Amends sec. 11 of 1976 PA 223 (MCL 18.361).

HB 5409 amends Michigan's Crime Victim Compensation Act to include temporary pet boarding costs as an eligible expense for victims relocating due to a crime. The bill adds subsection (l) to section 11, allowing up to $2,500 per claimant for pet boarding when immediate relocation is necessary for safety or well-being. This directly affects crime victims who own pets and must move quickly after a crime, expanding existing coverage that previously excluded pet-related costs. The change does not alter the $45,000 total award limit or other compensation categories. The bill was introduced in December 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4232: State management: funds; public safety and violence prevention fund; create. Amends title & sec. 2 of 2000 PA 489 (MCL 12.252) & adds secs. 11a & 11b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4231'25

HB 4232 creates the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund within Michigan’s trust fund system, directly affecting cities, villages, and townships that receive funding. The fund is financed by general sales tax deposits, donations, and investment earnings, with money remaining in the fund year-to-year instead of lapsing. Key provisions require 6.5% of fund revenues to be distributed to cities/towns for community violence prevention grants (administered by DHHS), while 2% goes to the Crime Victim’s Rights Fund; remaining funds are distributed proportionally but reduced if jurisdictions fail to meet violent crime rate reduction targets (1% by 2028-2030, 2% after). The bill strictly prohibits using funds for tactical police vehicles (>15,000 lbs), facial recognition technology, or replacing existing public safety resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 18, 2025

HB 4661: Law enforcement: communications; crime victim communication modernization act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4662'25

HB 4661 creates a grant program to help Michigan law enforcement agencies modernize communication with crime victims using text messages, emails, and multilingual support. It requires agencies to provide automated updates (like arrest notifications or case status changes) without requiring victims to download apps or create accounts. The bill establishes a fund to distribute grant money to state/local agencies, law enforcement, or local governments that meet specific standards for transparent, efficient communication. These standards include real-time notifications, community feedback tools, and multilingual messaging options accessible through simple email or text. The law directly affects crime victims receiving updates and agencies managing victim communication systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 18, 2025

HB 4662: Crime victims: notices; notification to crime victims utilizing other communication technology under the crime victim communication modernization act; provide for. Amends 1985 PA 87 (MCL 780.751 - 780.834) by adding sec. 3a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4661'25

HB 4662 allows Michigan courts, law enforcement, and other agencies to send crime victim notices (like case updates) via email or text message, in addition to traditional mail, when victims consent and provide contact details. Agencies must follow state communication standards and cannot use electronic notices if a victim has opted out. This update to the Crime Victim's Rights Act modernizes notification methods while ensuring victims retain full control over how they receive information. It directly affects crime victims in Michigan whose cases involve these notification processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

passed both · Michigan · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4261: State management: funds; public safety and violence prevention fund; create. Amends title & sec. 2 of 2000 PA 489 (MCL 12.252) & adds secs. 11a & 11b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4260'25

HB 4261 creates the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund within Michigan's trust fund system. It establishes the fund using money from the general sales tax (Section 25 of 1933 PA 167), donations, and investment earnings, with funds permanently staying in the account instead of lapsing to the general fund. Starting September 30, 2026, the state treasurer will distribute the fund’s revenues: 2% to health services for community violence intervention grants, 2% to crime victim funds, and the remainder based on each city/village/township’s violent crime rate (with a 5% reduction for areas not meeting crime reduction targets). This directly affects local governments receiving funds, the Department of Health and Human Services (administering grants), and crime victim programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · Michigan · Senate Oct 16, 2025

SB 613: Law enforcement: state police; violent crime clearance grant program; establish. Creates new act.

SB 613 creates a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies improve their violent crime clearance rates. The bill provides funding for agencies to hire and train staff focused on violent crime investigations, upgrade forensic equipment, and enhance record systems. Agencies receiving grants must report annually on how funds were used, clearance rates by crime type, and staffing changes. The program is administered by the Michigan State Police, with a dedicated fund financed through state appropriations. This directly affects municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices across Michigan.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills