Criminal Justice

passed both · Michigan · House Sep 18, 2025

HB 4717: Crimes: definitions; definition of racketeering; include insurance fraud. Amends sec. 159g of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.159g).

HB 4717 amends Michigan's criminal code by adding insurance fraud to the legal definition of racketeering under MCL 750.159g. This change directly affects cases involving insurance fraud, making it a specific type of racketeering offense rather than a separate crime. The key provision updates the statute to explicitly include insurance fraud within the broader racketeering definition used for prosecution. As a substantive policy change, this alters how such fraud cases are categorized and prosecuted under state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies insurance fraud as racketeering, expanding criminalization under stricter penalties per MCL 750.159g amendment.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 24, 2025

HB 5017: Crimes: prostitution; references to prostitution; modify in the DNA identification profiling system act. Amends sec. 6 of 1990 PA 250 (MCL 28.176). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5016'25

HB 5017 amends Michigan's DNA Identification Profiling System Act to require permanent DNA retention for individuals arrested or convicted of specific prostitution-related misdemeanors, including window peeping for commercial sex, indecent exposure, and leasing property for prostitution. This expands the current law, which previously required DNA collection only for felony offenses or certain other misdemeanors, by adding these particular prostitution offenses to the list triggering mandatory DNA collection. The bill affects people charged with these specific misdemeanors who would not have previously required DNA retention under the law. It does not change DNA collection for felony offenses or other existing categories.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory DNA retention for specific misdemeanor prostitution offenses, increasing criminalization and law enforcement data collection without reform benefits.92% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 4166: Crimes: drugs; illicit use of xylazine; prohibit, and provide penalties. Amends secs. 7103, 7105, 7106, 7401, 7403, 7403a, 7451, 7453 & 7455 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7103 et seq.).

HB 4166 prohibits the non-medical use of xylazine (a sedative sometimes mixed with drugs like fentanyl) in Michigan. It defines "illicit use" as any xylazine use not covered under "licit use," which includes legal veterinary applications, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or approved medical treatments. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to make possessing or using xylazine for non-licensed purposes a felony, with penalties ranging from up to 20 years in prison or fines up to $1 million depending on the amount. This directly affects individuals using xylazine outside approved medical or veterinary contexts, aligning penalties with those for other controlled substances like opioids.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of non-medical xylazine use with felony penalties (up to 20 years), increasing sentencing severity rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Michigan · Senate Jul 29, 2026

SB 294: Crimes: animals; forfeiture of seized animals and restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; amend. Amends sec. 50b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.50b).

SB 294 strengthens Michigan's animal cruelty laws by increasing penalties for harming companion animals (like pets and service animals) and adding new requirements for convicted individuals. It classifies offenses into three degrees (with first-degree punishable by up to 10 years in prison) and mandates courts to order restitution for animal care costs, including veterinary treatment and shelter. The bill also allows courts to prohibit convicted individuals from owning animals for a specified period or permanently. Exemptions cover lawful activities like hunting, farming, and veterinary care. This law directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty, particularly those targeting companion animals.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for animal cruelty (up to 10 years) and mandates restitution, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

passed · Michigan · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 520: Crimes: prostitution; penalties for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 462f of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.462f).

SB 520 amends Michigan's penal code to increase penalties for certain prostitution-related offenses. It raises the maximum penalty for basic violations (under sections 462b-462d) from 10 years to 20 years in prison and from $10,000 to $20,000 in fines. The bill specifically targets individuals who violate these sections, including those operating or facilitating commercial sex, and updates penalties for more severe outcomes like bodily injury or serious harm. These changes apply to anyone convicted under the amended sections of the law. The bill does not alter the scope of prohibited conduct, only the severity of potential punishments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum penalties for prostitution offenses from 10 to 20 years prison and $10k to $20k fines, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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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

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passed both · Michigan · House Dec 10, 2025

HB 4470: Highways: bridges; Mackinac Bridge; designate as a key facility. Amends sec. 552c of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.552c).

HB 4470 amends Michigan's penal code to designate specific portions of the Mackinac Bridge (those not open to or intended for public use) as a "key facility" under existing law. This means unauthorized entry onto these bridge sections - when enclosed by barriers like water and properly posted with signage - would become a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. The bill adds the Mackinac Bridge to a list of protected critical infrastructure, including power plants, water facilities, and chemical plants, all requiring physical barriers and visible signage to enforce entry restrictions. It does not change current penalties or posting requirements but extends them specifically to the Mackinac Bridge's restricted areas.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offense for unauthorized bridge entry, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties without reform context.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill designates Mackinac Bridge sections as protected critical infrastructure, enhancing security for transportation asset per highway bridge subject and penal code amendment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

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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 Mar 17, 2026

HB 5157: Crimes: penalties; delivery of controlled substance causing serious injury; provide penalties. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 89a.

This bill creates a new felony offense for delivering Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substances (excluding marijuana) that causes serious injury. It defines "serious injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of body function (like a limb or eye), coma lasting over 3 days, or measurable brain impairment. Violators face life imprisonment or any prison term. The law applies to people who illegally provide these drugs when the substance causes harm to the user or others.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes life imprisonment for drug delivery causing serious injury, expanding criminal penalties and increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 30, 2025

HB 5155: Criminal procedure: defenses; duress as a defense to murder of the second degree; prohibit. Amends sec. 317 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.317).

HB 5155 amends Michigan's penal code to remove duress as a defense for second-degree murder charges. Specifically, it changes section 317 to explicitly state that being forced to commit a crime (duress) cannot be used to defend against second-degree murder prosecutions. This directly affects defendants accused of second-degree murder who might otherwise claim they were coerced into committing the act. The bill makes no changes to the punishment for second-degree murder, which remains life imprisonment or any term of years at the court's discretion.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves duress defense for second-degree murder, restricting defendant rights in criminal procedure without reform or protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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