Criminal Justice

passed · Michigan · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 885: Criminal procedure: indigent defense; parent and child legal representation commission; create. Creates new act.

This bill creates a new Parent and Child Legal Representation Commission and Office in Michigan to oversee legal representation for indigent parents and children in child welfare cases. The commission will consist of 17 members appointed by the governor, including judges, attorneys, public officials, and community representatives, who will establish standards for attorney caseloads, training, payment rates, and eligibility for representation. Key provisions include creating a roster of eligible attorneys, defining indigency criteria that includes a presumption of financial hardship for those receiving public assistance or under 18, and requiring public input on standards before they take effect. The bill also mandates quarterly commission meetings and compliance with open meetings and freedom of information laws while providing expense reimbursement for commissioners.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commission to improve legal representation for indigent parents and children, enhancing access to justice and protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 5666: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for carbon sequestration violations; provide for. Amends sec. 13f of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.13f). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5664'26, HB 5665'26, HB 5667'26, HB 5668'26, HB 5669'26

This bill proposes adding new sentencing guidelines to Michigan's Code of Criminal Procedure specifically for violations related to carbon sequestration. It would amend an existing section of state law to establish how courts should determine penalties for these environmental offenses. The legislation directly affects prosecutors, judges, and defendants involved in carbon sequestration cases by creating a structured framework for sentencing. This change aims to ensure consistent legal treatment for violations of carbon sequestration regulations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes structured sentencing guidelines for environmental offenses, promoting consistency and fairness in criminal justice proceedings.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes sentencing guidelines for carbon sequestration violations, strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations and protecting climate change mitigation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 854: Occupations: business licensing and registration; license to sell firearms at retail; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.421 - 28.435) by adding secs. 14b & 14c.

This bill requires firearms dealers in Michigan to implement stricter security measures for storing and selling guns, including locking firearms and ammunition in secure cases when not directly supervised by sales staff. It mandates video surveillance systems that record customer facial features, requires annual inventory checks, and demands criminal background checks for employees who handle firearms. Dealers must also report lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours and allow law enforcement inspections of their premises. Violations of these new requirements can result in civil fines of up to $1,000.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens gun safety through stricter security measures, background checks, and reporting requirements, enhancing public safety and law enforcement effectiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 5685: Crimes: penalties; threats or assault against employee of family independence agency; expand. Amends sec. 81c of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81c).

This bill strengthens penalties for threatening, intimidating, or harassing employees of Michigan's Family Independence Agency, which includes staff from the Department of Health and Human Services and contracted private agencies. It expands criminal liability to cover verbal threats, intimidation, and harassment specifically targeting these workers due to their employment status. The legislation establishes misdemeanor charges for threats, intimidation, or harassment punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, while physical assaults causing injury become felonies with potential sentences of up to two years or a $1,000 fine. More severe assaults resulting in serious impairment of body functions carry felony penalties of up to five years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill also clarifies definitions for harassment and intimidation while ensuring that convictions under this law do not prevent prosecution under other applicable laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for threatening agency employees, enhancing protection for public servants and supporting criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens penalties for threatening, intimidating, or harassing workers, directly protecting employee safety and rights in the workplace.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Employment Discrimination

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 5751: Weapons: other; manufacture, sale, or possession of a bump stock; prohibit. Amends sec. 224 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.224).

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of bump stocks and multiburst trigger activators in Michigan. It amends the state penal code to explicitly classify these devices as illegal weapons alongside machine guns and silencers. The legislation defines bump stocks as devices that allow semiautomatic firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull by using recoil energy, and multiburst trigger activators as devices that increase a firearm's rate of fire. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The law includes exemptions for licensed federal firearms manufacturers and certain government contractors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits dangerous devices that increase firearm lethality, enhancing public safety and strengthening criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 5686: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for threats or assaults against department of health and human services designated caregiver; provide for. Amends sec. 16d, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16d). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5684'26, HB 5685'26

This bill proposes adding specific sentencing guidelines for threats or assaults against designated caregivers at Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects individuals who commit violence or make threats against these caregivers by establishing clearer legal consequences for such acts. The legislation amends existing criminal procedure laws to include these new protections, ensuring caregivers receive appropriate legal safeguards. The bill is part of a series of related measures aimed at strengthening protections for state workers in vulnerable positions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by establishing specific sentencing guidelines for assaults on caregivers, enhancing protections and legal consequences for violent acts against designated personnel.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens protections for healthcare workers by adding sentencing guidelines for assaults against DHHS caregivers, directly supporting healthcare personnel safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 844: Crimes: assaultive; harassing, interfering with, or injuring a letter carrier; prohibit, and provide penalties. Amends sec. 81d of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.81d).

This bill strengthens penalties for assaulting or interfering with letter carriers by adding them to the list of protected workers under Michigan's existing assault laws. It makes it a felony to harm, obstruct, or endanger anyone performing their duties, including postal workers, with increased prison terms and fines depending on the severity of the injury. The law applies to any individual who knows or should know the person is working, and penalties range from up to two years in prison for minor offenses to up to 20 years if the victim dies. The bill does not prevent additional charges for other crimes committed during the same incident and allows prison sentences to be served consecutively to other related convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for assaulting letter carriers, enhancing protections for workers and increasing consequences for criminal behavior.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 831: Law enforcement: investigations; minor confidential informant; require parental consent for children under the age of 18. Creates new act.

This Michigan bill requires law enforcement agencies to obtain written parental consent before using minors under 18 as confidential informants or active participants in law enforcement activities. The law defines specific types of law enforcement agencies covered, including state police, local police departments, and university police, while excluding individuals who voluntarily report crimes without being recontacted for additional information. Parents or legal guardians can seek court orders to stop agencies from using their children in these roles if consent requirements are not met, and the bill mandates that agencies pay court costs and attorney fees along with damages ranging from $500 to $1,000 if they violate the consent provision. The legislation does not apply to minors who are legally emancipated under existing state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by requiring parental consent for minors as confidential informants, protecting civil rights and limiting potential abuse of power in law enforcement investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 853: Occupations: business licensing and registration; license to sell firearms at retail; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.421 - 28.435) by adding sec. 12c. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0854'26

This bill requires firearm dealers in Michigan to obtain a state license for each location where they sell guns, with a $250 application fee and annual renewal costs. To qualify, dealers must hold a federal firearms license, have local government permits, and ensure all employees handling firearms are at least 21 years old with no criminal history related to violence or theft. The law mandates annual training for dealers and staff covering topics like recognizing illegal purchases, preventing theft, and firearm safety, with a passing score of 70% on a written exam. Licenses are non-transferable, must be displayed at the business, and expire annually, with the department able to deny or revoke them for violations or recordkeeping failures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm dealer oversight through licensing, training, and background checks, enhancing public safety and reducing illegal gun sales.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Tags Licensing

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 5706: Law enforcement: local police; reimbursement from the highway safety fund to local law enforcement agencies for assisting certain vehicle crashes; provide for. Amends sec. 629e of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.629e). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5705'26

HB 5706 amends Michigan's vehicle code to establish a reimbursement mechanism for local law enforcement agencies that assist with certain vehicle crashes. The bill creates a funding pathway where local police departments can receive financial support from the highway safety fund when they provide assistance at vehicle crash scenes. This provision directly affects local law enforcement agencies and the state highway safety fund, allowing for reimbursement of costs incurred during crash assistance operations. The bill is tied to companion legislation HB 5705 and requires both measures to be enacted together for the changes to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides funding mechanism for local law enforcement to assist vehicle crashes, strengthening police resources and operational capacity within criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes funding mechanism for local law enforcement assistance at vehicle crashes, enhancing transportation safety through crash scene support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways

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