Criminal Justice

passed both · Michigan · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 4948: Controlled substances: other; sentencing guidelines for retail sale of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine; modify. Amends sec. 13m, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13m). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4947'25

HB 4948 modifies sentencing guidelines for retail sales of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which are ingredients commonly found in cold medicines but can be misused to make illegal drugs like methamphetamine. The bill specifically targets retailers who sell these products, altering the legal penalties for violations related to such sales. It amends Michigan's criminal procedure code (MCL 777.13m) to adjust how courts handle these offenses. The bill is currently under review in the Judiciary Committee after being referred for second reading.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeModifies sentencing guidelines for retail sales of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, increasing penalties to prevent meth production, expanding criminalization of retail drug-related offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 4669: Corrections: other; site visits by legislators; provide for. Amends 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.201 - 791.285) by adding sec. 7b.

HB 4669 requires Michigan correctional facilities to allow unannounced, immediate inspections by state legislators upon request. It directly affects all correctional facilities under the Department of Corrections and state legislators (senators and representatives). The key provision mandates that facility staff must grant legislators access to inspect any premises without prior notice. This bill enhances legislative oversight by providing direct, on-the-ground access to correctional facilities for lawmakers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates unannounced legislative inspections of correctional facilities to enhance oversight, directly advancing criminal justice reform through increased transparency and accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5234: Law enforcement: funds; allowable uses for fee revenue related to salvage vehicle inspection; modify. Amends sec. 217c of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.217c).

HB 5234 modifies Michigan's vehicle code to change how law enforcement agencies can use fees collected from salvage vehicle inspections. Specifically, it updates Section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.217c) to expand allowable uses for these fee revenues. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that collect these inspection fees, allowing them to allocate funds toward equipment, training, or other operational needs previously restricted. This is a procedural funding adjustment with no new tax or mandate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands allowable uses of law enforcement inspection fees for equipment/training, directly funding operational needs within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 705: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for leasing houses for purposes of prostitution; modify. Amends secs. 448, 449, 450, 451, 454 & 462 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.448 et seq.).

SB 705 amends Michigan's prostitution laws (MCL 750.448-451, 454, 462) to adjust penalties for repeat offenses, require mandatory reporting of minors involved in prostitution, and establish diversion programs. It increases penalties to misdemeanors (up to 93 days/$500) for first offenses, felonies (up to 5 years/$4,000) for two or more prior convictions, and adds a presumption of coercion for minors (under 18) involved in prostitution - requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise. The bill mandates law enforcement to report minors to health services within 24 hours and requires investigations into potential human trafficking. It directly affects individuals engaging in prostitution, property owners leasing for such purposes, and law enforcement handling cases involving minors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat prostitution offenses (felonies for two prior), taking a punitive stance on sentencing, with minor victim protections as secondary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 463: 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).

SB 463 removes criminal penalties and civil fines for minors (under 18) who purchase, possess, or use tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products. The bill eliminates existing legal consequences for these minor offenses, shifting focus away from punishment. It directly affects underage individuals by ending enforcement of penalties under current law (MCL 722.642). The key provision is a "sunset" of these penalties, meaning they would no longer apply once the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for minors' tobacco use, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by shifting focus from punishment to prevention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

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passed · Michigan · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 612: Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends sec. 2950a of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2950a) & adds secs. 2950d & 2950p. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0611'25, HB 5120'25

SB 612 eliminates the requirement for victims to pay costs when courts deliver personal protection orders. It directly affects individuals seeking court-issued protection from domestic violence or abuse. The bill removes a financial barrier by changing court procedures so victims no longer cover the expenses for serving these protective orders. This is a procedural change to Michigan's civil court rules, shifting the cost responsibility from victims to the court system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates victim costs for protection orders in domestic violence cases, removing financial barriers to access court-issued protection, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing victim access to justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5247: Civil rights: public records; limited access to public records; provide for incarcerated individuals. Amends secs. 1, 2, 3 & 5 of 1976 PA 442 (MCL 15.231 et seq.).

HB 5247 amends Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to exclude individuals serving prison sentences from the definition of "person" eligible to request public records. Specifically, it revises Section 2(g) to clarify that "person" does not include anyone incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities. This change directly affects people currently in prison, removing their right to access public records through FOIA requests. The bill maintains that all other residents retain full FOIA access rights, with no other policy changes to the act's core provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes incarcerated individuals from FOIA access, reducing civil rights for prisoners under criminal justice corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SR 6: A resolution condemning the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, including the assault on the courageous members of the Capitol Police, and denouncing the use of presidential pardon power to absolve those who participated in the dangerous and anti-democratic riots.

This Senate resolution (SR 6) formally condemns the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and specifically denounces President Trump's 2025 pardons of 1,500 individuals involved in the riots, including those convicted of assaulting police officers. It highlights the 140+ law enforcement injuries sustained during the attack and cites police unions' criticism of the pardons as undermining accountability. The resolution serves as a symbolic statement expressing disapproval to federal leaders, not a policy change. It directly addresses the federal executive branch's use of pardon power regarding Capitol riot participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill denounces pardons of Capitol rioters as undermining police accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform that promotes accountability for violent crimes against law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 4134: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain crimes related to preventing access to a health care facility; enact. Amends sec. 13n, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13n). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4133'25

HB 4134 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to establish specific penalties for crimes that prevent access to healthcare facilities, such as blocking entrances to clinics. It directly affects individuals convicted of obstructing access to medical care, including abortion providers or other healthcare services. The bill modifies existing sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13n) to create new, higher sentencing ranges for these offenses. This change would apply to cases where someone intentionally interferes with lawful access to a healthcare facility. The bill is currently in committee review after its February 2025 introduction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for obstructing healthcare access, expanding criminalization of clinic protests and raising sentencing ranges per amended guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes criminal penalties for obstructing access to healthcare facilities, directly protecting patient access and rights to healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Women's Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 4133: Crimes: other; preventing access to a health care facility; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4133, the "Access to Health Facilities Act," prohibits physical obstruction, intimidation, or violence targeting individuals accessing or providing reproductive health services at licensed health facilities, including abortion care. It criminalizes actions like blocking entrances, threatening patients, or damaging property at these facilities, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors (up to 1 year jail, $10,000 fine) to felonies (up to life in prison for causing death). The law also allows civil lawsuits for $5,000 per violation and civil fines up to $25,000 for violators. It explicitly protects First Amendment-protected protests but does not affect local abortion regulations or existing protest laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offenses (blocking health facilities) with enhanced penalties, increasing enforcement scope rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits obstruction/violence against patients accessing reproductive health services, protecting access and patient rights in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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