Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 753: Crimes: other; citations to the motor vehicle sales finance act in the Michigan penal code; revise. Amends secs. 219e & 219f of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.219e & 750.219f). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0739'25

SB 753 amends Michigan's penal code to prohibit preparing or submitting loan applications in another person's name without authorization, or possessing related instruments obtained through such violations. It creates felony penalties (up to 4 years in prison or $2,500 fines) for non-financial actors who commit these acts. The bill specifically exempts financial institutions (including those licensed under the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act) and their employees when acting within regulatory boundaries, such as reporting suspected fraud to authorities. These changes directly affect individuals committing loan application fraud while providing clear protections for regulated financial entities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates felony penalties for unauthorized loan applications, expanding criminalization without reform focus, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 4600: Crimes: terrorism; making terrorist threat or false report of terrorism; modify. Amends sec. 543m of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.543m).

HB 4600 amends Michigan's law on terrorism threats and false reports, specifically modifying Section 543m of the Penal Code. The bill clarifies that making a threat of terrorism (even without intent to carry it out) or knowingly reporting a false terrorism incident can be prosecuted as a felony. It removes the defense that a defendant lacked the intent or capability to commit the threatened act. This law directly affects individuals who make threatening communications about terrorism or falsely report terrorism incidents, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison or a $20,000 fine. The bill was introduced on June 10, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves intent defense for terrorism threats/false reports, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of broadening prosecution scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 156: Legislature: legislative agencies; office of legislative corrections ombudsman; expand powers and duties. Amends secs. 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of 1975 PA 46 (MCL 4.351 et seq.).

SB 156 expands the authority of Michigan's Office of the Legislative Corrections Ombudsman to investigate complaints about the Department of Corrections. The bill requires the ombudsman to create a standardized complaint form (available online and in correctional facilities) and grants access to department records - including prisoner medical, mental health, and mortality records - without needing a release. It also allows the ombudsman to enter correctional facilities for inspections at any time (including emergencies like riots), consult with qualified experts after background checks, and hold informal hearings. This directly affects prisoners, their family members, prisoner advocates, and the Department of Corrections by strengthening oversight of correctional operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands oversight authority of corrections ombudsman to investigate complaints, access medical/mental health records, and conduct facility inspections without restrictions, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands oversight of prisoner medical/mental health records, enhancing accountability in correctional healthcare services without requiring releases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

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

Track

passed both · Michigan · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 5125: Crimes: penalties; enhanced penalties for theft of cargo; provide for. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 356e.

HB 5125 would add enhanced penalties for theft of commercial cargo in Michigan. If passed, individuals convicted of stealing cargo (defined as goods in transit via trucks, warehouses, or shipping facilities, excluding direct-to-consumer packages like retail deliveries) could face up to 10 additional years in prison. Prosecutors must specify this enhanced penalty in court documents, and the extra sentence would run consecutively with any other sentences for the same crime. The bill specifically targets theft of large-scale commercial shipments moving through transportation systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill adds enhanced penalties (up to 10 years) for cargo theft, increasing sentence severity. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for 'oppose'.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

Track

passed both · Michigan · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 5036: Crimes: other; false representation in assisted reproduction; prohibit, and provide penalties. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 219g.

HB 5036 prohibits knowingly providing false or misleading information about assisted reproduction procedures in Michigan, targeting health professionals and donors. It penalizes false claims regarding embryos/gametes, donor identity (including name or birthdate), or donor medical/family history with up to 5 years in prison or $50,000 fines. Health professionals who use unconsented embryos or gametes face harsher penalties: up to 15 years or $100,000 fines, and anonymous donor requests do not excuse violations. The bill applies to fertility clinics and providers, aiming to ensure transparency in services like IVF where accurate donor information is critical.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses with prison terms for false claims in assisted reproduction, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice systems.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits false claims in assisted reproduction (a healthcare service), protecting patient rights and safety by penalizing misinformation about medical procedures and donor data.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 318: Corrections: other; responsibility for nonemergency medical, dental, or optometric services; modify. Amends sec. 67a of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.267a).

Senate Bill 318 amends Michigan's Corrections Code, modifying the financial responsibility for medical services provided to prisoners. Under this bill, prisoners who intentionally injure themselves will be responsible for the entire cost of the emergency medical care they receive for those injuries. This means they will pay the full amount, rather than a copayment, for treatment of self-inflicted harm. The bill directly affects prisoners within Michigan's correctional facilities and the Department of Corrections' administration of medical costs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts full medical costs to prisoners for self-inflicted injuries, increasing financial burden and opposing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 169: Appropriations: department of corrections; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

This bill allocates $2.25 billion in state funding for Michigan's Department of Corrections for fiscal year 2025-2026. It covers administrative costs (including staff salaries and pensions), inmate reentry programs (like education and job training), parole services, and facility operations (including body-worn cameras and housing). The funding directly supports 13,207 correctional staff positions and services for inmates, such as vocational programs and transitional housing. It does not create new programs but provides budgetary support for existing department functions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.25B for corrections department operations, staff, and inmate programs, directly funding public services per appropriation act.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds inmate reentry, vocational programs, and staff - directly supports rehabilitation and recidivism reduction per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Probation & Parole

Track