Criminal Justice

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 Jul 24, 2025

HB 4507: Crimes: penalties; mandatory life imprisonment for certain crimes in the public health code; modify for certain offenders. Amends sec. 17764 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17764). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4506'25

HB 4507 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to require a mandatory life sentence without parole for individuals who sell mislabeled or contaminated drugs or devices with the intent to kill or cause serious harm to two or more people, if their actions result in death. This replaces the current maximum 15-year penalty for causing death through such violations under Section 17764 of the code. The bill specifically targets cases where the seller intended to harm multiple individuals, not general death resulting from misbranded products. The amendment is contingent on another bill (HB 4506) becoming law before taking effect.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory life without parole for drug sellers causing multiple deaths, replacing 15-year max penalty; aligns with indicators of harsher sentencing and reduced defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 24, 2025

HB 4508: Crimes: penalties; mandatory life imprisonment for certain crimes in the penal code; modify for certain offenders. Amends secs. 16, 18, 200i, 204, 207, 209, 210, 211a, 316, 436, 520b & 543f of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.16 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4506'25

HB 4508 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for specific crimes involving drugs, biological/chemical substances, and explosives that result in death or serious harm. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole for offenders convicted of certain violations that cause death, including cases where the crime was committed with intent to harm two or more people. Key provisions revise sections 16, 18, and 200i of the penal code to require this mandatory life sentence when offenses directly cause death, removing parole eligibility. It affects individuals convicted under these amended sections for crimes like adulterating drugs, distributing harmful substances, or using explosives. The changes apply to existing offenses, not new criminal acts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for specific crimes, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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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 · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 460: Crimes: controlled substances; crime of manufacturing, creating, delivering, or possessing with intent certain schedule 1 and 2 controlled substances; modify penalties. Amends sec. 7401 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401).

SB 460 modifies Michigan's penalties for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver certain controlled substances, primarily targeting Schedule 1 and 2 drugs (like narcotics and fentanyl derivatives). It establishes tiered penalties based on the substance's danger and quantity - for example, 1,000 grams or more of fentanyl or heroin now carries a potential life sentence or $1 million fine, while smaller amounts face reduced but still severe penalties. This directly affects individuals convicted of drug offenses under Michigan law, with specific provisions for fentanyl-related crimes and adjustments to prior sentencing structures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drug offenses, including life sentences for large fentanyl/heroin quantities, expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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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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passed · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2025

SB 362: Consumer protection: identity theft; references to identity theft protection act in Michigan penal code; revise. Amends sec. 159g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.159g). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0360'25

SB 362 updates Michigan's definition of "racketeering" in the penal code to explicitly include "a felony violation of the identity theft protection act" (2004 PA 452). This means identity theft crimes now qualify as racketeering offenses, allowing prosecutors to pursue them under more severe racketeering statutes. The change directly affects individuals convicted of identity theft, as it expands the legal framework for charging such cases. The bill revises Section 159g of the penal code to add this specific reference, without creating new penalties or altering existing laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying identity theft as racketeering, enabling harsher penalties under more severe statutes.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClassifies identity theft under racketeering, strengthening legal consequences for data privacy violations under Michigan law.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 4844: Children: guardians; jurisdiction involving minors; revise. Amends sec. 2, ch. XIIA of 1939 PA 288 (MCL 712A.2).

HB 4844 amends Michigan's Probate Code to clarify when juvenile courts have exclusive authority over minors under 18. It specifies situations where courts can handle cases involving minors who: (1) violate certain criminal laws (like weapons offenses or specific misdemeanors), (2) repeatedly miss school after counseling attempts, (3) face neglect or unsafe home environments, or (4) are homeless or run away. The bill defines key terms like "learning program" and "neglect" to align with existing state codes. This revision directly affects juvenile courts, prosecutors, and families navigating custody or welfare cases involving minors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects minor criminal cases (weapons offenses, misdemeanors) to juvenile courts for rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by avoiding adult system entanglement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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signed · Michigan · House Jul 29, 2026

HB 4518: Law enforcement: reports; Michigan Amber alert act; modify. Amends title & sec. 3 of 2002 PA 712 (MCL 28.753).

HB 4518 modifies Michigan's Amber Alert Act to require law enforcement agencies to submit missing child alert reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children within 24 hours of activating an alert. This change directly affects Michigan police departments and state agencies that use the Amber Alert system. The bill updates existing law by replacing prior reporting timelines with a specific 24-hour deadline for submissions. This policy adjustment aims to expedite information sharing during missing child cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 24-hour submission of missing child reports to NCMEC, expediting information sharing for law enforcement response efficiency in missing children cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

passed both · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 4599: Crimes: organized; gift card fraud; provide for. Amends 2012 PA 455 (MCL 752.1081 - 752.1087) by adding sec. 3a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4598'25

This bill (HB 4599) amends Michigan's criminal code to address gift card fraud by adding Section 3a to existing statutes (MCL 752.1081-752.1087). It directly affects individuals who commit gift card fraud, such as stealing or selling stolen gift card numbers. The bill creates specific criminal penalties for these offenses but does not provide details on the exact penalties or scope in the given context. The bill passed the House on September 9, 2025, with strong support, and was referred to the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The context provided does not include the specific provisions or who is affected beyond the general fraud focus.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds criminal penalties for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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