Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 5477: Traffic control: driver license; program to provide driver license and state identification cards to parolees; provide for. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5475'26, HB 5474'26

HB 5477 allows parolees in Michigan to use an identification card issued by the Department of Corrections as valid proof of identity when applying for a driver's license or state ID card. The bill amends Michigan's vehicle code to require the Secretary of State to accept these correctional facility ID cards, which include the parolee's legal name, photograph, and identifying information. This change directly affects individuals recently released from prison who need to establish legal identification for driving and other purposes. The key mechanism is adding this specific ID card as an accepted document under existing identity verification rules for license applicants. This eliminates a barrier to obtaining essential identification for parolees reentering communities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves bureaucratic barrier for parolees to obtain driver's licenses, facilitating reintegration and reducing recidivism risk - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 5474: Corrections: other; program to provide driver license and state identification cards to parolees; provide for. Amends sec. 34c of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.234c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5477'26, HB 5475'26

HB 5474 requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to proactively help prisoners obtain driver's licenses and state ID cards before release. Specifically, the department must collect required documents and photos 60 days prior to release, send them to the Secretary of State, and assist with social security verification. It creates a "reentry success fund" to cover these administrative costs, ensuring prisoners have essential identification for reintegration. This directly affects parolees and prisoners nearing release who need these IDs to access employment, housing, and other services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates ID/license assistance for parolees 60 days pre-release with reentry fund, directly reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 5483: Crimes: assaultive; harassing, interfering with, or injuring a letter carrier; prohibit, and provide penalties. Amends sec. 81d of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81d).

HB 5483 amends Michigan's penal code to specifically protect United States Postal Service letter carriers by adding them to the list of protected individuals under assault laws. The bill increases penalties for assaulting, obstructing, or endangering these workers based on injury severity: up to 2 years for basic assault, 4 years for serious injury requiring medical care, 15 years for serious bodily impairment, and 20 years if the assault causes death. It clarifies that existing penalties for assaulting law enforcement or emergency personnel also apply to letter carriers when they are performing their duties. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and does not affect other potential charges for the same incident.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting postal workers, strengthening victim protections and sentencing frameworks within criminal justice.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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passed · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5320: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for flying over or trespassing on a key facility or critical infrastructure with an unmanned aircraft or vehicle; provide for. Amends 16b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5319'25

HB 5320 amends Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to specifically address unauthorized drone flights over or trespassing on critical infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges. It would establish new sentencing standards for individuals operating unmanned aircraft or vehicles near these facilities, directly affecting drone operators who violate these restrictions. The bill modifies Section 16b of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16b) to create clear penalties for such offenses, moving beyond general trespass laws. This change aims to strengthen legal consequences for drone-related threats to public safety infrastructure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing new sentencing penalties for drone trespass on critical infrastructure, increasing criminal penalties for specific aerial violations.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes criminal penalties for unauthorized drone flights near critical infrastructure, restricting drone operations as a technology application.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Emerging Technology

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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 16, 2025

HB 5355: Housing: other; Michigan fair chance access to housing act; create. Creates new act.

HB 5355, the "Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act," prohibits landlords from requiring or considering an applicant's criminal record during initial rental screening. Landlords must issue a conditional offer after checking income, credit, or rental history, then may only consider specific serious offenses (like arson, human trafficking, or sex offenses requiring registration) or recent felonies within 3 years after a conditional offer is made. Landlords must disclose if they consider criminal records and allow applicants to submit evidence of rehabilitation or mitigating factors before denying housing. This bill directly affects landlords across Michigan and rental applicants with criminal records, aiming to reduce barriers to housing based solely on past convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits landlords from considering criminal records in initial screening, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and promote fair housing access for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminal record discrimination in rentals, strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing access per bill's explicit screening restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed both · Michigan · House May 7, 2026

HB 5425: Criminal procedure: sex offender registration; employment of a registered sex offender at a business that provides services to minors; prohibit. Amends 1994 PA 295 (MCL 28.721 - 28.730) by adding sec. 5d.

HB 5425 prohibits registered sex offenders from working at businesses primarily serving minors under 18, such as dance studios, summer camps, youth sports venues, and tutoring services. It creates a misdemeanor for first violations (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) and a felony for repeat violations (up to 4 years in jail or $2,000 fine). The law requires registration authorities to provide written notice of these employment restrictions during initial registration and verification. This bill directly affects individuals required to register under Michigan's sex offender registry, aiming to restrict their employment in settings with unsupervised minor access.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds strict employment restrictions for sex offenders, expanding criminalization of their activities under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 17, 2025

HB 5372: Tobacco: other; minors that purchase, possess, or use tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products; sunset criminal penalties and civil sanctions for. Amends sec. 2 of 1915 PA 31 (MCL 722.642). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5370'25, HB 5371'25, HB 5368'25, HB 5369'25

HB 5372 changes penalties for minors who purchase, possess, or use tobacco, vapor, or alternative nicotine products. It replaces criminal misdemeanor penalties for first and second violations with civil penalties (fines up to $50 and community service up to 32 hours), while third or subsequent violations remain misdemeanors. The bill also adds exemptions for minors in approved undercover operations or compliance checks. It requires four related bills to pass before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces criminal penalties with civil penalties for minor tobacco offenses (first/second violations), reducing criminalization of minors and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by avoiding misdemeanor records.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 11, 2025

HB 5341: Weapons: licensing; penalty for failure to comply with certain licensing requirements; modify. Amends sec. 227 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.227).

HB 5341 modifies Michigan's weapon carrying laws by changing penalties for first-time violations of concealed pistol licensing rules. It specifies that individuals who carry a concealed pistol without a current license (but with an expired license under 1 year old and eligibility for a new license) will now face only a $330 civil fine instead of potential felony charges. The bill directly affects people who carry concealed weapons without a valid permit but meet these specific criteria. It does not change the requirement for a license or the underlying prohibition on concealed carry without one. The key change is replacing criminal penalties with a civil fine for this narrow category of first-time violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces penalty for first-time concealed carry violation from felony to civil fine, decreasing criminalization and aligning with reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution for animal cruelty offenders, strengthening sentencing accountability and victim (animal) protection within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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