Criminal Justice

in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 4139: Weapons: firearms; firearms law; amend to reflect repeal of the extreme risk protection order act. Amends secs. 2, 2b, 5b & 8 of 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.422 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4140'25, HB 4140'25

HB 4139 removes references to "extreme risk protection orders" from Michigan's firearm licensing requirements. Specifically, it amends sections of the state's firearms law (MCL 28.422, 28.422b, 28.425b, and 28.428) by deleting the provision that previously required applicants to disclose if they were subject to such orders. This change directly affects individuals applying for firearm licenses, as they will no longer need to certify whether they are under an extreme risk protection order. The bill does not repeal extreme risk protection orders themselves but modifies the licensing process to exclude this specific requirement. The change reflects the repeal of the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act as noted in the bill's title.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves ERPO disclosure requirement, weakening a gun violence prevention tool central to criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 4132: Crimes: animals; cross-reference in revised judicature act; update. Amends sec. 2950 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4131'25

HB 4132 amends Michigan's personal protection order law to explicitly include animal-related abuse as a prohibited act in domestic violence cases. The bill adds new language (subsection 1(k)) making it illegal for a respondent to injure, kill, threaten, or remove an animal in which the petitioner has ownership interest, or to retain an animal taken from the petitioner. This directly affects domestic violence victims who rely on pets for emotional support, expanding court orders to protect both people and their companion animals. The provision specifies it does not override lawful animal use (e.g., hunting under state law) and aligns with existing protections for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence protection to include pets, strengthening victim safety and legal safeguards within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 4188: Crimes: intoxication or impairment; careless or negligent operation of vehicle as civil infraction; modify. Amends sec. 626b of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.626b).

HB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies non-reckless careless driving from criminal to civil offense, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with justice reform principles.90% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4232: 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 4231'25

HB 4232 creates the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund within Michigan’s trust fund system, directly affecting cities, villages, and townships that receive funding. The fund is financed by general sales tax deposits, donations, and investment earnings, with money remaining in the fund year-to-year instead of lapsing. Key provisions require 6.5% of fund revenues to be distributed to cities/towns for community violence prevention grants (administered by DHHS), while 2% goes to the Crime Victim’s Rights Fund; remaining funds are distributed proportionally but reduced if jurisdictions fail to meet violent crime rate reduction targets (1% by 2028-2030, 2% after). The bill strictly prohibits using funds for tactical police vehicles (>15,000 lbs), facial recognition technology, or replacing existing public safety resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated public safety fund using sales tax deposits, allocates 6.5% to cities for violence prevention grants, ensuring sustained funding for public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund with 6.5% allocated to community violence prevention grants (DHHS-administered), directly advancing criminal justice reform through prevention-focused funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 4264: Labor: fair employment practices; job applicant's credit history; prohibit an employer from inquiring about. Creates new act.

HB 4264, the "Job Applicant Credit Privacy Act," bans most employers in Michigan from using an applicant's credit history to make hiring decisions or asking about it during the recruitment process. It directly affects all job seekers and employers, except for specific roles in banking (state/nationally chartered banks, savings institutions, credit unions), licensed financial services, or casinos. The bill also prohibits employers from retaliating against applicants who oppose violations or participate in investigations, and bans any requirement for applicants to waive their rights under this law. Violators face civil lawsuits allowing for damages, injunctions, or attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans credit history inquiries in hiring, reducing employment barriers for people with criminal records - a key component of criminal justice reform that lowers recidivism.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans credit checks in hiring to prevent discrimination, protecting applicants' rights under fair employment practices per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4331: Law enforcement: reports; ebony alert system; provide for. Creates new act.

House Bill 4331 establishes an "Ebony alert" system in Michigan to aid in locating missing women between the ages of 18 and 65, referred to as "qualifying individuals." This system is activated when a qualifying individual is reported missing under suspicious circumstances and is believed to be at risk, developmentally disabled, cognitively impaired, or abducted. The Department of State Police will create and maintain a plan to rapidly disseminate information to radio and television stations statewide. The bill also creates an Ebony Alert Fund to support the system's operation and prohibits intentionally making false reports, imposing penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Ebony alert system for law enforcement to locate missing women under suspicious circumstances, enhancing law enforcement procedures within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4336: Crimes: other; bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 409c.

HB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new felonies for harboring undocumented persons and hiring them, increasing penalties. Directly opposes reform by broadening criminal offenses.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill creates felony/misdemeanor offenses for harboring, transporting, or employing undocumented persons, increasing state immigration enforcement and restricting undocumented immigrants' activities.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill criminalizes hiring undocumented workers (10+ in 12 months), restricting employment opportunities for this workforce segment and opposing labor rights protections.90% confidence

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4255: Crimes: controlled substances; crime of manufacturing, delivering, or possession of with intent to deliver certain controlled substances; modify penalties. Amends secs. 7401, 7410 & 7417 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401 et seq.) & adds secs. 7410b & 7417a.

House Bill 4255 modifies the penalties for crimes involving the manufacturing, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver certain controlled substances. It specifically amends sections of the Public Health Code to introduce new sentencing guidelines. The bill establishes distinct and often stricter penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences and higher maximum fines, for offenses involving heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or their derivatives. These enhanced penalties differentiate these substances from other controlled substances within similar weight classifications.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIntroduces mandatory minimums and stricter penalties for controlled substances offenses, increasing criminalization and reducing sentencing flexibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SB 112: Crimes: definitions; definition of racketeering; include embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. Amends sec. 159g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.159g).

Senate Bill 112 amends Michigan's penal code to expand the definition of "racketeering." The bill specifically adds the crime of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult to the list of offenses that can be considered racketeering activity. This change means that individuals who commit embezzlement against vulnerable adults could be prosecuted under racketeering laws, which are typically associated with organized crime and may carry more severe penalties. The bill aims to strengthen legal protections against the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands racketeering definition to include vulnerable adult embezzlement, strengthening legal protections against financial exploitation under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SB 113: Crimes: embezzlement; embezzlement from vulnerable adults and the estates of vulnerable adults; provide penalties and steps for property recovery. Amends sec. 174a of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.174a).

SB 113 amends Michigan's penal code to address the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The bill makes it illegal to obtain or use a vulnerable adult's money or property through fraud, deceit, or coercion for personal benefit, and extends this prohibition to include acts committed against their estate after death. It establishes a tiered system of penalties, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, based on the value of the money or property involved and the offender's prior convictions. This legislation provides increased legal consequences for individuals who financially abuse vulnerable adults and their estates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation by establishing penalties, aligning with criminal justice reform to enhance accountability and protect civil rights.95% confidence

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