Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 800: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guideline for facility that receives or maintains an adult who requires residential psychiatric care when the facility's license has been revoked or suspended or it has refused to renew its license; enact. Amends sec. 13j, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13j). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0799'26

SB 800 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to add specific provisions for cases involving adults requiring residential psychiatric care who are placed in facilities with revoked, suspended, or unrenewed licenses. It directly affects courts and correctional facilities by establishing a new sentencing guideline (under MCL 777.13j) for such placements. The bill creates a standardized sentencing consideration when a facility loses its license but continues to house patients needing psychiatric care. This change ensures courts account for facility licensing status when determining sentences for these cases. (Note: The bill text provided does not include specific policy details beyond the title and amendment reference.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to ensure proper psychiatric care placement in licensed facilities, promoting rehabilitation and protecting civil rights within corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 5576: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for intimidating or harassing an individual based on actual or perceived employment as a first responder; provide for. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5574'26

HB 5576 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes targeting first responders. It adds intimidation or harassment of individuals based on their actual or perceived employment as a first responder (like police, firefighters, or EMTs) to the list of offenses that warrant enhanced sentencing. The bill changes Section 16t of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16t) to require courts to consider this factor when determining sentences for such crimes. This directly affects individuals convicted of threatening or harassing first responders, ensuring their actions are treated with greater severity under sentencing rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to enhance penalties for crimes targeting first responders, strengthening protection for law enforcement within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · House May 12, 2026

HB 5320: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for flying over or trespassing on a key facility or critical infrastructure with an unmanned aircraft or vehicle; provide for. Amends 16b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5319'25

HB 5320 amends Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to specifically address unauthorized drone flights over or trespassing on critical infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges. It would establish new sentencing standards for individuals operating unmanned aircraft or vehicles near these facilities, directly affecting drone operators who violate these restrictions. The bill modifies Section 16b of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.16b) to create clear penalties for such offenses, moving beyond general trespass laws. This change aims to strengthen legal consequences for drone-related threats to public safety infrastructure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing new sentencing penalties for drone trespass on critical infrastructure, increasing criminal penalties for specific aerial violations.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes criminal penalties for unauthorized drone flights near critical infrastructure, restricting drone operations as a technology application.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Emerging Technology

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 737: Corrections: parole; certain parole terms; amend. Amends sec. 34 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791. 234).

SB 737 changes parole eligibility rules for Michigan prisoners serving life sentences who do not fall under automatic exclusion (e.g., murder convictions). It requires these prisoners to serve 10 years (for crimes committed before October 1, 1992) or 15 years (for crimes on or after that date) before becoming eligible for parole consideration. The bill also adds new procedures: annual parole board interviews after 10 years, file reviews at 15 years and every 5 years thereafter, and mandatory public hearings with parole board. These changes apply to life-sentence prisoners not covered by existing exceptions in Section 34(6) of Michigan’s Corrections Code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates 10-15 year minimums before parole eligibility for life-sentence prisoners, restricting parole access and adding procedural hurdles, aligning with 'restricts parole' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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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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 · Senate Oct 29, 2025

SB 430: Crimes: controlled substances; crime of manufacturing, delivering, or possession of with intent to deliver heroin or fentanyl; modify to reflect changes in sentencing guidelines. Amends sec. 7401 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401).

SB 430 updates Michigan's sentencing for drug offenses involving heroin and fentanyl. It specifically increases penalties for these substances by setting life imprisonment as the maximum sentence for possessing 1,000 grams or more of heroin, fentanyl, or their derivatives - previously capped at 30 years for other drugs. The bill maintains lower penalties for smaller amounts (e.g., 50-450 grams carries up to 20 years) and for other controlled substances not listed in the enhanced provisions. This directly affects individuals convicted of manufacturing, delivering, or possessing these specific drugs with intent to distribute. The changes align sentencing for heroin/fentanyl with the most severe penalties under existing law, reflecting updated guidelines for these dangerous opioids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory life sentences for 1,000g+ heroin/fentanyl offenses, raising penalties beyond previous 30-year cap. Expands criminalization and harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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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 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 6, 2025

HB 4167: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for illicit use of xylazine; provide for. Amends sec. 13m, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13m).

HB 4167 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address the illicit use of xylazine, a veterinary drug increasingly misused in illicit drug mixtures. The bill adds xylazine to the list of substances covered under sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.13m), meaning courts must now apply standardized sentencing ranges for convictions involving its unauthorized possession or use. This directly affects individuals convicted of xylazine-related offenses, including those using it alone or combined with other drugs. The change creates a clear, defined sentencing path for this specific offense, moving beyond general drug sentencing rules to address xylazine's growing public health impact. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds xylazine to sentencing guidelines, expanding criminalization of drug offenses without reform measures or reduced penalties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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