SB 156 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislature: legislative agencies; office of legislative corrections ombudsman; expand powers and duties. Amends secs. 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of 1975 PA 46 (MCL 4.351 et seq.).

SB 156 expands the authority of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to investigate complaints about the Department of Corrections. The bill requires the ombudsman to create a standardized complaint form (available online and in correctional facilities) and grants access to department records - including prisoner medical, mental health, and mortality records - without needing a release. It also allows the ombudsman to enter correctional facilities for inspections at any time (including emergencies like riots), consult with qualified experts after background checks, and hold informal hearings. This directly affects prisoners, their family members, prisoner advocates, and the Department of Corrections by strengthening oversight of correctional operations.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 13, 2025 Last action Jun 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 7 edits · Jun 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman Act to update definitions, expand investigation powers, and add new reporting requirements. The changes modernize the ombudsman's authority to include testing equipment access, add emergency inspection provisions, and require more detailed public reporting on complaints and recommendations.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman's oversight of the Department of Corrections, but expands the ombudsman's investigative capabilities and reporting obligations.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'qualified expert' and renumbered existing definitions to correct a numbering error in the original bill.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the ombudsman's authority to bring testing equipment into correctional facilities and added procedures for department review of such equipment.

Added requirement for ombudsman to grant emergency entry to one staff member during facility disturbances, riots, or hostage incidents.

Added requirement for monthly public reports on complaint statistics in addition to annual reports.

Extended ombudsman notification timelines for complaint actions from 30 to 45 business days.

Added requirement for ombudsman to delay testing procedures if they are under litigation.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provision allowing department to search testing equipment for contraband brought in by experts or ombudsman staff.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2025

How they voted

38–0

Passed

Total votes 38

Jun 10, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 10, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Government Operations

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Introduced

received on 06/10/2025

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 159 YEAS 37 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)

upper

May 14, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

upper

May 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 5/14/2025

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SYLVIA SANTANA

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors