This bill updates Michigan's criminal procedure code to clarify how courts assess and collect financial costs from defendants. It requires judges to determine if a defendant is financially unable to pay before ordering fines or court fees. If a defendant is not indigent, the court can impose specific minimum state costs and additional expenses related to the trial, such as personnel salaries and facility maintenance, but must waive these charges for those who qualify as indigent. The legislation also establishes a fee structure for probation supervision, charging $30 per month without electronic monitoring or $60 per month with it, while allowing courts to waive these fees for indigent individuals.
This bill modifies Michigan's parole procedures for prisoners serving life sentences or first-degree murder convictions, requiring the parole board to interview eligible inmates after they have served 10 years. It establishes a structured process for handling applications for reprieves, commutations, or pardons, including mandatory reviews within 60 days and public hearings if the board decides to proceed. The legislation also mandates that sentencing judges and prosecutors be notified of such applications and given 30 days to submit information or objections, while victims receive notice and the opportunity to testify. Additionally, the bill clarifies that parole board files related to these cases are public records, except for medical information protected by doctor-patient confidentiality.
HB 5510 allows Michigan courts to delay final sentencing for up to one year (or longer for specific cases) for certain non-violent offenses, giving defendants time to participate in rehabilitation programs like drug court. It requires courts to collect supervision fees ($30-$60 per month, depending on electronic monitoring) during the delay period, with maximum limits of 12 months for most cases or 60 months for child support violations. The bill exempts juveniles in specific cases and permits courts to waive fees for indigent defendants. This modifies existing sentencing procedures to prioritize rehabilitation while adding structured financial obligations during the delay.
HB 5448 amends Michigan's parole procedures to require the parole board to consider impact statements from certain witnesses, including crime victims, when reviewing parole applications. It directly affects prisoners seeking parole, parole board members, and crime victims who wish to share how a crime impacted them. Key mechanisms include adding a new provision (Section 35a) for submitting impact statements, clarifying that parole boards cannot deny parole without an interview in most cases (except for low-probability cases), and prohibiting consideration of expunged juvenile records or inaccurate information. The bill also mandates a 90-day parole eligibility report detailing a prisoner's conduct, work, education, and risk assessment, while explicitly banning the parole board from basing denials solely on marital history or unconvicted arrests.
HB 5475 requires Michigan's Secretary of State to issue official state identification cards to individuals who are about to be released on parole or discharged from prison. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Secretary must issue these cards to eligible parolees using information provided by the Department of Corrections about their release date. The bill mandates that cards be delivered to the correctional facility before the parolee's release date or mailed to the facility if the person is already released. This directly affects parolees in Michigan who need state ID cards for accessing services, housing, or employment upon reentry.
HB 5477 allows parolees in Michigan to use an identification card issued by the Department of Corrections as valid proof of identity when applying for a driver's license or state ID card. The bill amends Michigan's vehicle code to require the Secretary of State to accept these correctional facility ID cards, which include the parolee's legal name, photograph, and identifying information. This change directly affects individuals recently released from prison who need to establish legal identification for driving and other purposes. The key mechanism is adding this specific ID card as an accepted document under existing identity verification rules for license applicants. This eliminates a barrier to obtaining essential identification for parolees reentering communities.
HB 5474 requires Michigan's Department of Corrections to proactively help prisoners obtain driver's licenses and state ID cards before release. Specifically, the department must collect required documents and photos 60 days prior to release, send them to the Secretary of State, and assist with social security verification. It creates a "reentry success fund" to cover these administrative costs, ensuring prisoners have essential identification for reintegration. This directly affects parolees and prisoners nearing release who need these IDs to access employment, housing, and other services.
HB 5447 modifies Michigan's probation rules to allow eligible individuals to seek early termination from probation. It permits probationers to apply for early discharge after completing half their original probation term (for both felonies and misdemeanors), provided they've completed required programming and made good-faith efforts to pay fines/fees. The bill prohibits disqualification solely due to unpaid financial obligations but excludes certain offenses like domestic violence (MCL 750.81/81a), sexual assault, or drug crimes from early discharge eligibility. Courts must consider victim input in cases involving specific offenses and report annual early discharge data to legislative committees.
HB 5361 strengthens penalties for animal cruelty in Michigan by requiring courts to order convicted offenders to pay restitution for the care, housing, and veterinary treatment of seized companion animals (like pets or service animals). It clarifies that companion animals receive enhanced protections, with stricter penalties for intentional harm (e.g., killing or torturing a pet). The bill mandates restitution covering investigation, prosecution, and animal care costs - not previously required - and prohibits convicted individuals from owning animals during probation or permanently. It excludes lawful activities like hunting, farming, or veterinary care from these provisions.
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.
