Criminal Justice

Michigan House Bill 6260 amends the state penal code to modify the legal definition of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and establish stricter sentencing guidelines for offenders. The bill expands the list of aggravating circumstances that elevate a crime to this most serious level, specifically including acts committed by school employees, volunteers, or child care providers who use their professional status to gain access to victims aged 13 to 15. It also broadens the definition of force and coercion to include situations where an actor uses medical treatment unethically or overcomes a victim through concealment or surprise. Regarding penalties, the bill mandates that anyone convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct must receive lifetime electronic monitoring in addition to their prison sentence. It increases the minimum prison term for adults who commit these acts against children under 13 and imposes a mandatory life sentence without parole for repeat offenders who have previously been convicted of similar crimes against young children.

Michigan House Bill 6279 amends the state's corrections code to require the Department of Corrections to provide prisoners with timely access to medical, dental, optical, and mental health care while ensuring privacy and dignity during treatment. The legislation mandates that the department identify and address the needs of prisoners with disabilities by providing assistive equipment such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. Additionally, it requires the maintenance of safe environmental conditions, including proper sanitation and ventilation, to prevent risks to prisoner health. Prisoners who believe these standards are not met can file grievances through the existing departmental system.

Michigan House Bill 6276 amends the state's corrections code to modify parole eligibility for specific serious crimes. The bill establishes a minimum five-year parole period for offenses including murder, actual forcible rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and nighttime breaking and entering of an occupied dwelling, unless the remaining sentence is shorter than that timeframe. Additionally, it mandates that prisoners sentenced under specific provisions of the Michigan penal code must receive life parole rather than a fixed-term release.

Michigan House Bill 6284 updates the state's sentencing guidelines by amending Section 16m of the Code of Criminal Procedure to include specific firearm-related felonies. The bill creates a comprehensive list of offenses, ranging from selling firearms to minors and prohibited persons to discharging guns in vehicles or at dwellings, assigning each a specific classification level and maximum prison sentence. These classifications determine how judges calculate sentences for these crimes, with penalties varying based on the severity of the act and any resulting injuries or deaths. The legislation is tied to House Bill 6285 and will not take effect unless that companion bill is also enacted into law.

Michigan House Bill 6263 amends the state penal code to expand the definition of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is classified as a misdemeanor felony. The bill specifically targets individuals who engage in sexual contact with minors aged 16 to 17 who are students, or young adults aged 16 to 25 receiving special education services, when the perpetrator is a teacher, school employee, volunteer, or other authority figure using their position to gain access to the victim. It also includes provisions for sexual contact involving foster care residents and mental health patients, while maintaining existing penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of $500.

Michigan House Bill 6280 requires the state Department of Corrections to establish specific policies governing the use of recording devices in sensitive medical settings within correctional facilities. The bill limits the use of audio, video, or photographic recording to situations where it is reasonably necessary for safety, security, or documentation purposes. It mandates that any recording must be conducted in a way that minimizes intrusion on prisoner privacy and requires staff to document the specific reason for using the device. Additionally, the legislation requires the department to maintain policies for the retention, storage, and access of these recordings in compliance with existing laws.

This bill modifies Michigan's criminal procedure rules to clarify which types of hearsay evidence are admissible during preliminary examinations without requiring the original author or record keeper to testify. It specifically permits the use of drug analysis reports, certified court records, business records, and various law enforcement reports, such as forensic science findings and autopsy results, in these proceedings. Additionally, the legislation requires magistrates to allow prosecutors to subpoena law enforcement officers to provide hearsay testimony from victims or witnesses in cases involving assaultive crimes, home invasions, or arson.

Effective October 1, 2026, Michigan courts are required to publish specific performance metrics on their websites to improve transparency regarding case management. The bill mandates that each court display its failure-to-appear rate and fugitive rate, which measure the proportion of defendants or supervised individuals who miss scheduled court dates or escape supervision. Additionally, courts must list the total number of active warrants they hold, categorized separately by traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses.

Michigan House Bill 6296 establishes a new Youth and Family Justice Bureau within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee juvenile justice standards, collect data, and monitor detention facilities. The bill also creates a Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Training Institute, developed in collaboration with state courts and a public university, to provide standardized training and maintain centralized records for staff working in the juvenile system. Additionally, the legislation amends existing child welfare laws to mandate more frequent court review hearings, require regular parenting time for removed children, and set specific timelines for permanency planning decisions regarding foster care placements.

Michigan House Bill 6298 is a supplemental appropriations act that reallocates funds within the Department of Health and Human Services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill directs $150 million to the newly established Youth and Family Justice Bureau while reducing allocations for other child welfare functions, including foster care payments and local office staff compliance. These funding shifts are intended to support the specific powers and duties of the bureau as defined in the state probate code, effectively consolidating resources under this new agency structure.