Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 736: Crimes: crimes against minors; definition of child abuse; modify. Amends sec. 136b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.136b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0735'25

SB 736 amends Michigan's child abuse laws to clarify definitions and adjust penalties based on the severity of harm caused to children. It establishes four degrees of child abuse, with punishments ranging from misdemeanors (for minor physical harm) to life imprisonment (for causing serious physical or mental harm). The bill defines key terms like "serious physical harm" (e.g., brain damage, fractures) and "serious mental harm," while specifying that reasonable discipline or domestic violence defenses may apply. It directly affects anyone caring for children - such as parents, guardians, or caregivers - who cause harm through intentional acts, omissions, or reckless behavior. The law also requires prosecutors to list prior convictions when seeking enhanced sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies child abuse definitions and adjusts penalties by harm severity, strengthening legal framework for protecting minors under criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 23, 2025

HB 5410: Crimes: domestic violence; common household pets in certain shelter programs; provide for. Amends secs. 1 & 7 of 1978 PA 389 (MCL 400.1501 & 400.1507).

This bill requires Michigan domestic violence shelters receiving state funds to provide supportive services for common household pets, including pet shelter. It amends the domestic violence prevention law to add "supportive services for common household pets, including shelter" as one of the required service options. Shelters must either provide at least three of these services (including pet care) or help victims access them. This directly affects state-funded domestic violence shelters and their clients who own pets, addressing a common barrier to seeking safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires state-funded domestic violence shelters to provide pet care services, aiding victims' access to shelter and supporting crime victim safety within criminal justice reform framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 31, 2025

HB 5447: Criminal procedure: probation; achievement credits for individuals on probation; provide for. Amends sec. 2, ch. XI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 771.2).

HB 5447 modifies Michigan's probation rules to allow eligible individuals to seek early termination from probation. It permits probationers to apply for early discharge after completing half their original probation term (for both felonies and misdemeanors), provided they've completed required programming and made good-faith efforts to pay fines/fees. The bill prohibits disqualification solely due to unpaid financial obligations but excludes certain offenses like domestic violence (MCL 750.81/81a), sexual assault, or drug crimes from early discharge eligibility. Courts must consider victim input in cases involving specific offenses and report annual early discharge data to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows early probation termination for eligible individuals who complete programming and make good-faith payment efforts, reducing recidivism and removing barriers to reentry.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 23, 2025

HB 5421: Employment security: benefits; disqualification from receiving benefits when leaving employment; create exception for victim of stalking. Amends secs. 29 & 29a of 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29 & 421.29a).

HB 5421 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to create a new exception allowing victims of stalking to qualify for benefits if they leave employment due to stalking. Currently, an exception exists for domestic violence victims under Section 29(a)(iv), but this bill replaces "domestic violence" with "stalking" in that provision. The change means individuals who leave jobs to escape stalking would no longer be disqualified from benefits, directly affecting stalking victims who might otherwise lose unemployment eligibility. This policy update modifies the disqualification rule without altering other existing provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends unemployment law to include stalking victims in benefit eligibility, protecting victims' rights under criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment benefits eligibility for stalking victims, protecting workers fleeing workplace safety threats under employment security law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 5121: Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5120'25, HB 6033'26

HB 5121 eliminates the cost for serving personal protection orders (PPOs) in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking PPOs to protect against harassment, stalking, or sexual assault by removing the requirement that petitioners pay for service of the order on the respondent. The bill amends Michigan’s court procedures to eliminate this fee, making it easier for petitioners - especially those with limited resources - to obtain and enforce PPOs without upfront costs. This change applies to all PPOs filed under the specified sections of Michigan law, streamlining the process for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates fees for PPO service, reducing barriers for victims of harassment/stalking/sexual assault to access protection - advancing equitable access in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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passed · Michigan · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 611: Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends secs. 2559 & 2950 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2559 & 600.2950). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0612'25, HB 5121'25

SB 611 eliminates court costs for serving personal protection orders in Michigan. It directly affects individuals seeking protection from domestic violence, harassment, or abuse who must legally serve court orders on others. The bill amends Michigan’s civil procedure laws (MCL 600.2559 & 600.2950) to remove the requirement that these individuals pay fees for process servers. This change simplifies access to legal protection by removing a financial barrier for vulnerable residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates fees for serving personal protection orders, reducing financial barriers for domestic violence victims seeking legal protection, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 4132: Crimes: animals; cross-reference in revised judicature act; update. Amends sec. 2950 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4131'25

HB 4132 amends Michigan's personal protection order law to explicitly include animal-related abuse as a prohibited act in domestic violence cases. The bill adds new language (subsection 1(k)) making it illegal for a respondent to injure, kill, threaten, or remove an animal in which the petitioner has ownership interest, or to retain an animal taken from the petitioner. This directly affects domestic violence victims who rely on pets for emotional support, expanding court orders to protect both people and their companion animals. The provision specifies it does not override lawful animal use (e.g., hunting under state law) and aligns with existing protections for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protection to include pets, strengthening victim safety and legal safeguards within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 5071: Appropriations: supplemental; funding for the violence against women grant; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5071 provides supplemental state funding for programs addressing violence against women, specifically allocating money to support existing grant programs under Michigan's Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) initiatives. This bill directly affects state agencies and local organizations administering these grants, such as domestic violence shelters and legal aid services. The key mechanism is creating a new appropriation within the state budget for fiscal year 2026 to cover costs not previously funded. It does not change eligibility or program rules but ensures continued funding for these services through a dedicated budget line. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 26, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates supplemental appropriation for VAWA programs, directly increasing state funding for public services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds VAWA programs supporting domestic violence victims and legal aid, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim services and protections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds VAWA programs including mental health and medical services for victims, supporting healthcare access through domestic violence shelters and legal aid.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence

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passed · Michigan · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 612: Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0611'25, HB 5120'25

SB 612 eliminates the requirement for victims to pay costs when courts deliver personal protection orders. It directly affects individuals seeking court-issued protection from domestic violence or abuse. The bill removes a financial barrier by changing court procedures so victims no longer cover the expenses for serving these protective orders. This is a procedural change to Michigan's civil court rules, shifting the cost responsibility from victims to the court system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates victim costs for protection orders in domestic violence cases, removing financial barriers to access court-issued protection, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim access to justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 4525: Criminal procedure: other; electronic monitoring by global positioning devices of certain individuals released without bail; require. Amends sec. 6b, ch. V of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 765.6b).

HB 4525 requires judges to consider ordering GPS tracking devices for defendants charged with aggravated domestic violence or assaultive crimes who are released without bail. It directly affects these defendants and their victims, as the bill mandates judges to evaluate whether electronic monitoring would deter further harm before trial. Key provisions include requiring courts to document specific conditions, enter orders into law enforcement databases, and give victims the option to receive proximity alerts if the defendant approaches them. The bill also specifies that defendants must cover device costs or perform community service as a condition of release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates GPS monitoring for domestic violence/assault defendants to protect victims and deter reoffending, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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