Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 389: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for driver causing death of blind person or dog guide in crosswalk; enact. Amends sec. 17b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.17b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0388'25

SB 389 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for drivers who cause the death of a blind person or a guide dog while they are crossing a street in a crosswalk. The bill directly affects drivers involved in such fatal accidents by adding these specific scenarios to the state's sentencing considerations under MCL 777.17b. Key provisions require judges to impose harsher sentences for these offenses, acknowledging the vulnerability of blind individuals and service animals. The law aims to strengthen legal consequences for negligence in crosswalks where blind people or guide dogs are present. This is a substantive policy change focused on enhancing penalties for specific traffic-related fatalities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases sentencing for drivers harming blind persons/guide dogs, protecting vulnerable groups under criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SB 203: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for summoning law enforcement to residence through intentional false report of a serious law enforcement emergency; establish. Amends sec. 16t, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16t). TIE BAR WITH: SB 202'25

SB 203 creates new sentencing guidelines for individuals who intentionally make false reports to law enforcement about serious emergencies (like active threats or crimes) to summon police to a residence. It directly affects people who deliberately lie to trigger emergency responses, such as false reports of violence or danger at someone's home. The bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16t) to specify enhanced penalties for this specific offense. This adds a clear legal consequence for misusing emergency services, aiming to deter false reports that waste police resources and cause unnecessary fear.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for false emergency reports, strengthening punishment for a crime that wastes law enforcement resources and disrupts community safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 338: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain tampering with evidence offenses by law enforcement officers; provide for. Amends sec. 16x, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16x). TIE BAR WITH: SB 337'25

SB 338 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16x) to specifically address law enforcement officers who tamper with evidence. It establishes separate sentencing parameters for officers convicted of altering, destroying, or fabricating evidence during investigations. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers in cases involving evidence tampering, ensuring their sentences are evaluated under these updated guidelines rather than general provisions. The change aims to clarify sentencing outcomes for this specific offense within the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes specific sentencing for officer evidence tampering, enhancing police accountability per bill's intent to clarify penalties for misconduct.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed both · Michigan · House Sep 18, 2025

HB 4714: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for fraudulent insurance acts; provide for. Amends sec. 15a, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.15a). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4716'25

HB 4714 updates Michigan's sentencing guidelines specifically for fraudulent insurance acts by amending Section 15a of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.15a). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of insurance fraud by establishing clearer sentencing standards for these offenses. It modifies existing sentencing structures to provide more defined parameters for judges when determining penalties in fraud cases involving insurance. The changes aim to standardize penalties for this specific crime category within Michigan's criminal justice system. The bill passed the Michigan House on September 16, 2025, with strong support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines for insurance fraud to standardize penalties, reducing sentencing disparities and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5028: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for and references to prostitute and prostitution crimes in sentencing guidelines; amend. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5016'25

HB 5028 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to update legal references related to prostitution offenses. It replaces terms like "prostitute" with more neutral language in sentencing calculations under MCL 777.16w. This change affects judges and courts when determining penalties for individuals convicted of prostitution-related crimes. The bill modifies how these offenses are described in legal guidelines but does not alter the actual penalties for the crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates sentencing guidelines to remove stigmatizing terms, promoting neutral language. Aligns with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform without altering penalties.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 592: Corrections: other; reentry services and support for certain individuals after resentencing; require. Amends sec. 83 of 1953 PA 232 (MCL 791.283).

SB 592 requires Michigan's corrections department to provide reentry services (excluding housing), temporary housing, and vital documents (like birth certificates) to prisoners whose convictions were overturned due to specific Supreme Court rulings (e.g., *Miller v. Alabama* or *People v. Parks*). These services must be offered for up to 2 years after release for reentry services and 1 year for housing. The bill mandates timely assignment of staff to ensure these supports are delivered, with repayment required if a prisoner's conviction is later reinstated. It directly affects individuals released after resentencing in cases involving juvenile sentencing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reentry services (documents, housing) for prisoners with overturned convictions per reform-focused Supreme Court cases, reducing recidivism barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 25, 2025

SB 155: 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: SB 154'25

SB 155 amends sentencing guidelines to address crimes specifically targeting access to healthcare facilities, such as blocking entrances or threatening staff. It would establish new sentencing standards for these offenses under Michigan's criminal code (MCL 777.13n). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of obstructing healthcare access, potentially altering their prison terms or penalties. However, the provided context does not detail the exact sentencing changes or specific crime definitions. This summary is based solely on the bill's title and official reference, without additional policy specifics.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to establish new penalties for obstructing healthcare access, expanding criminalization of specific offenses under MCL 777.13n.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill imposes stricter sentencing for obstructing healthcare access (e.g., blocking entrances), directly protecting facility operations and patient access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 521: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0520'25, SB 0705'25

This bill amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16w) to address cases involving minors exploited in prostitution. It specifically modifies how individuals aged 16 or younger are treated when found in a house of prostitution, shifting the focus from criminalization to victim support. The key change directs courts to prioritize rehabilitation and services for these minors rather than imposing standard criminal penalties. This policy change directly affects minors under 16 who are victims of exploitation, ensuring their cases are handled through a victim-centered approach.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends sentencing guidelines to prioritize rehabilitation over criminal penalties for minors in prostitution, directly advancing criminal justice reform by treating victims as such rather than offenders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Sep 9, 2025

SB 524: 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 524 amends Michigan's prostitution-related laws to increase penalties for repeat offenses and create a new diversion program for first-time offenders. It adds a mandatory human trafficking awareness program for first-time offenders instead of immediate conviction, and establishes a legal presumption that minors under 18 involved in prostitution were coerced by traffickers. The bill directly affects individuals accused of solicitation, operating brothels, or aiding prostitution, with enhanced penalties for those with prior convictions. Key provisions include stricter sentencing tiers based on prior offenses and mandatory reporting of minors to human services for trafficking investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIntroduces diversion program for first-time offenders, mandates trafficking awareness, and presumes minors coerced - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism and protect victims.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · House May 21, 2026

HB 5105: Crimes: penalties; penalties regarding certain crimes involving marihuana; modify. Amends sec. 7401 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7401). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5107'25

HB 5105 modifies Michigan's sentencing rules for marijuana possession offenses under the Public Health Code. It lowers penalties for most possession amounts, reclassifying some as misdemeanors (e.g., 1-5 kilograms or 50-100 plants becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail or a $20,000 fine). For larger amounts, it reduces maximum prison terms (e.g., 45+ kilograms now carries a max 10-year felony instead of 15 years). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of marijuana offenses under current law, altering sentencing based on quantity. It is pending in committee after introduction on October 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModifies marijuana sentencing by reducing penalties and reclassifying offenses to misdemeanors, directly advancing criminal justice reform through reduced incarceration and harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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