Criminal Justice

passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 258: Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; modify period of limitations. Amends sec. 5805 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5805). TIE BAR WITH: SB 259'25, SB 257'25

Senate Bill 258 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act of 1961, which governs the time limits for filing civil lawsuits. The bill modifies the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages related to criminal sexual conduct. It achieves this by changing the definition of "criminal sexual conduct" that applies to the 10-year limitation period, directing the definition to a separate

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for civil suits related to criminal sexual conduct, supporting victims' access to justice and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4261: State management: funds; public safety and violence prevention fund; create. Amends title & sec. 2 of 2000 PA 489 (MCL 12.252) & adds secs. 11a & 11b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4260'25

HB 4261 creates the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund within Michigan's trust fund system. It establishes the fund using money from the general sales tax (Section 25 of 1933 PA 167), donations, and investment earnings, with funds permanently staying in the account instead of lapsing to the general fund. Starting September 30, 2026, the state treasurer will distribute the fund’s revenues: 2% to health services for community violence intervention grants, 2% to crime victim funds, and the remainder based on each city/village/township’s violent crime rate (with a 5% reduction for areas not meeting crime reduction targets). This directly affects local governments receiving funds, the Department of Health and Human Services (administering grants), and crime victim programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates general sales tax revenue to create a dedicated fund for public safety and violence prevention programs, ensuring permanent funding allocation instead of lapsing to general fund.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates fund for community violence intervention grants and crime victim funds, directly advancing criminal justice reform through prevention and victim support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 260: Torts: governmental immunity; governmental agency and employee liability for criminal sexual conduct; allow. Amends sec. 7 of 1964 PA 170 (MCL 691.1407) & adds sec. 7d. TIE BAR WITH: SB 257'25

Senate Bill 260 amends Michigan's governmental immunity act, specifically for public universities, colleges, and school districts. It removes their immunity from tort liability in cases of criminal sexual conduct committed by their employees or agents. These institutions can be held liable if they were negligent in hiring, supervision, or training, or if they had knowledge of the conduct and failed to report it to law enforcement. However, liability is only imposed if the institution also had prior knowledge of the individual's propensity for or previous acts of criminal sexual conduct and failed to intervene to prevent the subsequent conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes immunity for institutions in criminal sexual conduct cases, enhancing accountability and victim protection, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 216: Traffic control: accidents; penalties for moving violation causing physical injury or death to a vulnerable roadway user; enhance. Amends secs. 303, 320a, 601c & 653a of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.303 et seq.); adds secs. 79g & 79h & repeals sec. 653b of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.653b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0217'25

SB 216 increases criminal penalties for drivers who cause physical injury or death to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable roadway users through moving traffic violations (like speeding or running a red light). It amends Michigan's traffic laws to enhance penalties under specific sections, adding new provisions (79g and 79h) that strengthen consequences for these offenses. The bill directly affects drivers convicted of moving violations resulting in harm to non-motorized road users, making penalties more severe than current standards. This policy change focuses on improving accountability for dangerous driving that endangers pedestrians and cyclists, without specifying future outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances penalties for traffic offenses causing injury/death to vulnerable users, strengthening sentencing within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases criminal penalties for drivers causing injury/death to pedestrians/cyclists via traffic violations, directly enhancing transportation safety for vulnerable road users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 221: Criminal procedure: mental capacity; outpatient treatment for misdemeanor offenders with mental health issues; provide for. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1001 - 330.2106) by adding sec. 1021 & ch. 10A. TIE BAR WITH: SB 219'25

Senate Bill 221 establishes a new process for individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses who have mental health issues. The bill allows for the diversion of these defendants into assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) if the prosecuting attorney, defendant, and defense counsel agree to an assessment and the defendant meets the AOT criteria. If a court orders AOT for up to 180 days, the misdemeanor charges remain pending but are dismissed after 90 days (or 180 days for serious misdemeanors). This diversion pathway provides an alternative to standard mental competency procedures for eligible misdemeanor offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDiverts misdemeanor offenders with mental health issues to outpatient treatment, reducing court processing and promoting rehabilitation - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes diversion to assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) for misdemeanor offenders with mental health issues, promoting access to mental health care instead of criminal prosecution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5012: Crimes: human trafficking; safe harbor protection for minors who are victims of sex and labor trafficking; modify certain requirements. Amends sec. 451 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.451).

HB 5012 creates a legal presumption that minors under 18 charged with offenses related to sex or labor trafficking (such as commercial sexual exploitation) were coerced by traffickers, requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise to override this presumption. It mandates law enforcement to report suspected trafficking involving minors to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services within 24 hours, triggering an investigation to determine if the minor is in danger of harm. The state must then petition the court to place the minor under protective services under specific dependency laws. This bill directly affects minors who are trafficking victims and shifts their legal handling from criminal prosecution toward victim support services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal presumption minors were coerced in trafficking cases, requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise and mandating victim protection protocols, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5013: Criminal procedure: trial; qualifications of expert witnesses in human trafficking cases; modify. Amends sec. 462g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.462g).

HB 5013 modifies Michigan's criminal procedure law (MCL 750.462g) to clarify rules for expert testimony in human trafficking prosecutions. It allows qualified experts - such as those with specialized training in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services - to testify about typical victim behaviors and responses in trafficking cases. The bill also prohibits such experts from commenting on witness credibility and protects victims by ensuring truthful testimony cannot be used against them in criminal cases (except for perjury). This directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and victims in human trafficking trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies expert testimony rules in trafficking cases to protect victims and ensure fair trials, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and procedural fairness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5009: Criminal procedure: expunction; criminal convictions that may be set aside on grounds of being a victim of human trafficking; expand. Amends sec. 1 of 1965 PA 213 (MCL 780.621).

HB 5009 expands Michigan's expungement law to allow individuals convicted of offenses under MCL 750.448-450 (related to human trafficking crimes) to have those convictions set aside if they committed the offense as a direct result of being a human trafficking victim. This applies to people who were trafficked victims at the time of the offense, while still requiring applicants to meet the existing limits under the law (e.g., no more than 3 total felony convictions). The bill amends MCL 780.621 to add this exception, ensuring trafficking victims can seek relief without exceeding standard eligibility thresholds. It directly affects survivors of human trafficking who have convictions for specific offenses tied to their victimization.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands expungement for human trafficking victims, aligning with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers for victims and promoting rehabilitation instead of punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 5071: Appropriations: supplemental; funding for the violence against women grant; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5071 provides supplemental state funding for programs addressing violence against women, specifically allocating money to support existing grant programs under Michigan's Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) initiatives. This bill directly affects state agencies and local organizations administering these grants, such as domestic violence shelters and legal aid services. The key mechanism is creating a new appropriation within the state budget for fiscal year 2026 to cover costs not previously funded. It does not change eligibility or program rules but ensures continued funding for these services through a dedicated budget line. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 26, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates supplemental appropriation for VAWA programs, directly increasing state funding for public services under budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds VAWA programs supporting domestic violence victims and legal aid, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim services and protections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds VAWA programs including mental health and medical services for victims, supporting healthcare access through domestic violence shelters and legal aid.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 5072: Appropriations: supplemental; funding for the testing of sexual assault kits; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 5072 allocates supplemental state funds specifically for testing sexual assault kits in Michigan for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It directly affects state law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories responsible for processing these kits by providing dedicated budget resources. The bill creates a new appropriation within the state budget to cover testing costs, ensuring these kits can be processed without relying on existing funding streams. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to how kits are collected or handled.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates supplemental funds for sexual assault kit testing, creating new budget appropriation without diverting existing resources.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds sexual assault kit testing, directly supporting law enforcement evidence processing and victim justice within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Violent Crime

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