Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · House May 8, 2025

HB 4465: Criminal procedure: arrests; required removal of religious head coverings for police photographs; prohibit. Amends 1927 PA 175 (MCL 760.1 - 777.69) by adding sec. 25c to ch. IV.

House Bill 4465 amends Michigan's criminal procedure to establish guidelines for taking booking photographs of individuals wearing religious garb during an arrest. It requires law enforcement to make reasonable efforts to provide a same-sex officer or staff member and a private setting for the removal of religious head coverings for photographs, if requested due to sincerely held religious beliefs. The bill outlines specific photo procedures, including taking pictures with and without certain coverings, primarily for identification. Photos taken without religious garb are generally confidential but may be used for specific law enforcement, investigative, or legal purposes. Additionally, it ensures replacement religious garb is provided for individuals not immediately released.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires religious accommodation during booking photos, protecting civil rights in law enforcement procedure.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 4532: Crimes: assaultive; crime of assaulting a person performing job-related duties; expand to include health professionals. Amends secs. 81, 81a & 81d of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4534'25, HB 4535'25

HB 4532 expands Michigan's assault laws to specifically protect health professionals and medical volunteers who are assaulted while performing job duties. The bill increases fines for such assaults from $500 to $1,000 (for non-patient offenders) and requires health facilities to post clear notices about this penalty. It excludes patients receiving treatment from the enhanced fine but still allows prosecution for patient assaults. This directly affects doctors, nurses, and volunteers working in healthcare settings during their professional duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands assault penalties to protect health professionals, increasing fines and requiring facility notices, directly strengthening criminal justice protections for vulnerable workers.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare workers from assault via enhanced penalties, directly supporting safe healthcare delivery environment and aligning with healthcare professional safety in topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 4534: Criminal procedure: mental capacity; assisted outpatient treatment diversion program for certain patients with mental illness; provide for. Amends sec. 461 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1461) & adds sec. 1021 & ch. 10A. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4532'25, HB 4533'25, HB 4535'25

HB 4534 creates a diversion program allowing misdemeanor defendants with mental illness to receive outpatient treatment instead of criminal prosecution for certain offenses, including crimes against health professionals (MCL 750.81d). It requires a court assessment by a qualified health professional to determine eligibility, after which the defendant may be diverted into up to 90 days of outpatient treatment for standard misdemeanors or 180 days for "serious misdemeanors." Charges remain pending but must be dismissed 90 or 180 days after the treatment order, unless the defendant fails to comply with the treatment plan, which triggers civil proceedings under existing mental health code sections. The program directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor charges who meet clinical criteria for mental health treatment diversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates mental health diversion program reducing criminal prosecution for eligible defendants, aligning with reform goals of rehabilitation over punishment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates outpatient treatment diversion for mental illness, improving access to mental health services instead of criminal prosecution for eligible defendants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 18, 2025

HB 4661: Law enforcement: communications; crime victim communication modernization act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4662'25

HB 4661 creates a grant program to help Michigan law enforcement agencies modernize communication with crime victims using text messages, emails, and multilingual support. It requires agencies to provide automated updates (like arrest notifications or case status changes) without requiring victims to download apps or create accounts. The bill establishes a fund to distribute grant money to state/local agencies, law enforcement, or local governments that meet specific standards for transparent, efficient communication. These standards include real-time notifications, community feedback tools, and multilingual messaging options accessible through simple email or text. The law directly affects crime victims receiving updates and agencies managing victim communication systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModernizes victim communication for transparency and accessibility, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by improving victim engagement and agency accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 18, 2025

HB 4662: Crime victims: notices; notification to crime victims utilizing other communication technology under the crime victim communication modernization act; provide for. Amends 1985 PA 87 (MCL 780.751 - 780.834) by adding sec. 3a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4661'25

HB 4662 allows Michigan courts, law enforcement, and other agencies to send crime victim notices (like case updates) via email or text message, in addition to traditional mail, when victims consent and provide contact details. Agencies must follow state communication standards and cannot use electronic notices if a victim has opted out. This update to the Crime Victim's Rights Act modernizes notification methods while ensuring victims retain full control over how they receive information. It directly affects crime victims in Michigan whose cases involve these notification processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModernizes victim notification under Crime Victim's Rights Act, enhancing victim control and communication options within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables electronic victim notifications with consent/opt-out, aligning with data privacy protections in topic indicators while modernizing communication methods.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 339: Law enforcement: records; law enforcement officer separation of service record act; revise. Amends secs. 1, 2, 3 & 5 of 2017 PA 128 (MCL 28.561 et seq.); designates secs. 1 & 2 as art 1 & secs. 3 - 5 as art. 2 & adds arts. 3 & 4.

SB 339 creates a standardized "separation of service record" that Michigan law enforcement agencies must maintain when officers leave their positions. It requires agencies to document the reason for separation and any active disciplinary investigations within one year of departure, finalize the record within 5 business days, and provide written notice to the officer. Officers can review the record, request corrections within 7 days, or submit a written statement disagreeing with inaccuracies if unresolved. This directly affects current and former law enforcement officers transitioning between agencies and their employers, ensuring transparency in separation documentation. The bill amends Michigan's existing law enforcement standards act to formalize these procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes officer separation records to enhance accountability and transparency in law enforcement, directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving oversight and documentation of disciplinary actions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 156: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands oversight authority of corrections ombudsman to investigate complaints, access medical/mental health records, and conduct facility inspections without restrictions, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands oversight of prisoner medical/mental health records, enhancing accountability in correctional healthcare services without requiring releases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 4732: Crimes: animals; penalties for killing or causing serious physical harm to a police dog, police horse, or search and rescue dog; modify. Amends sec. 50c of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.50c).

HB 4732 increases penalties for harming police and search-and-rescue dogs or horses used in law enforcement. It makes intentionally killing or causing serious physical harm to these animals a felony (up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine), while lesser harm or interference during duties is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year or $5,000 fine), or a felony if committed during another crime. The law applies specifically to animals trained and deployed by Michigan law enforcement agencies for police or search-and-rescue operations. It does not affect other animals or alter existing penalties for unrelated offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for harming police/search-and-rescue animals, strengthening law enforcement protections and operational effectiveness within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 12, 2025

HB 4760: Law enforcement: other; law enforcement officer use of facial coverings or disguises in certain circumstances; prohibit, and require appropriate identification. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 396a.

HB 4760 requires Michigan law enforcement officers to wear visible identification (showing their name or badge number and agency) and not wear masks or disguises during public interactions while performing duties. Exceptions allow masks for health protection (e.g., airborne diseases), safety from toxins, or physical protection during high-risk incidents like shootouts. The law applies to all state and federal officers in Michigan during public engagements, with violations punishable as misdemeanors (up to 90 days in jail or $1,000 fine). It does not affect covert operations or officers wearing protective gear for legitimate safety reasons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible officer identification during public interactions, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement - a key criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 4074: Law enforcement: peace officers; conservation officers to wear body cams while on patrol; require. Amends 1986 PA 109 (MCL 300.21 - 300.22) by adding sec. 1a.

HB 4074 requires Michigan conservation officers to wear body-worn cameras during official duties. This applies specifically to conservation officers (not all law enforcement) while performing their conservation-related responsibilities. The bill mandates compliance with Michigan’s existing Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act (2017 PA 85) for recording and disclosure of footage. The bill was introduced on February 12, 2025, and referred to the Natural Resources and Tourism Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body cameras for conservation officers, enhancing law enforcement accountability per existing privacy act, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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