HB 5840 Michigan House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

Criminal procedure: trial; qualifications of expert witnesses in human trafficking cases; modify. Amends sec. 462g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.462g).

This bill modifies Michigan's human trafficking laws to allow courts to accept expert testimony from witnesses with specialized knowledge in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services. These experts can explain how trafficking victims often behave differently than expected and help juries understand the complex dynamics of trafficking cases. While the law already permits victim testimony without corroboration, this change specifically enables qualified experts to offer opinions on victim responses and behaviors during trials. However, the bill explicitly prohibits these experts from giving opinions on the credibility of other witnesses, including the victim, to maintain a clear distinction between behavioral analysis and character judgment. Both the prosecution and defense are permitted to call such experts to testify in human trafficking prosecutions.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2024
House Passage
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Dec 2024
Governor
Introduced Jun 25, 2024 Last action Dec 18, 2024
Floor votes · House Dec 11, 2024

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Dec 18, 2024
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
upper
Dec 18, 2024
Upper · Passed
PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
upper
Dec 11, 2024
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call # 423 Yeas 61 Nays 48 Excused 0 Not Voting 1
lower
Nov 13, 2024
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
Nov 13, 2024
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Jun 25, 2024
Committee
referred to Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jun 25, 2024
Introduced
introduced by Representative John Fitzgerald
lower
1 primary · 18 co-sponsors

Sponsors