Rep. Angela Witwer

Maddy summaryHB 5020 amends Section 1(b) of Michigan's Fourth Class City Act (MCL 91.1) to replace the term "prostitution" with "commercial sexual activity" in city ordinances. This technical update affects fourth-class cities' authority to prohibit certain conduct under local laws. The bill makes no substantive policy change - it only modernizes the legal terminology while preserving existing enforcement powers. The amendment aligns city ordinance language with current legal standards without altering regulatory scope.

Maddy summaryHB 5012 creates a legal presumption that minors under 18 charged with offenses related to sex or labor trafficking (such as commercial sexual exploitation) were coerced by traffickers, requiring prosecutors to prove otherwise to override this presumption. It mandates law enforcement to report suspected trafficking involving minors to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services within 24 hours, triggering an investigation to determine if the minor is in danger of harm. The state must then petition the court to place the minor under protective services under specific dependency laws. This bill directly affects minors who are trafficking victims and shifts their legal handling from criminal prosecution toward victim support services.

Maddy summaryHB 5013 modifies Michigan's criminal procedure law (MCL 750.462g) to clarify rules for expert testimony in human trafficking prosecutions. It allows qualified experts - such as those with specialized training in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or victim services - to testify about typical victim behaviors and responses in trafficking cases. The bill also prohibits such experts from commenting on witness credibility and protects victims by ensuring truthful testimony cannot be used against them in criminal cases (except for perjury). This directly affects courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and victims in human trafficking trials.

Maddy summaryHB 5018 amends sections 2, 13a, and 18k of Michigan's Probate Code of 1939 to remove the terms "prostitute" and "prostitution" from the law. The bill aims to update outdated terminology in legal references, though the provided context does not specify the exact new language or which sections currently contain these terms. The bill's focus is solely on revising terminology within the Probate Code, not altering substantive legal procedures or affecting specific groups directly. Without the full amended text or current language details in the provided context, the precise policy impact cannot be described.

Maddy summaryHB 5009 expands Michigan's expungement law to allow individuals convicted of offenses under MCL 750.448-450 (related to human trafficking crimes) to have those convictions set aside if they committed the offense as a direct result of being a human trafficking victim. This applies to people who were trafficked victims at the time of the offense, while still requiring applicants to meet the existing limits under the law (e.g., no more than 3 total felony convictions). The bill amends MCL 780.621 to add this exception, ensuring trafficking victims can seek relief without exceeding standard eligibility thresholds. It directly affects survivors of human trafficking who have convictions for specific offenses tied to their victimization.

Maddy summaryHB 5024 amends Michigan's Child Protection Law to update the definition of "confirmed sexual exploitation" to explicitly include cases where a child is forced into prostitution or commercial sexual activity. This change directly affects child welfare agencies, courts, and legal advocates who investigate and respond to child abuse cases. The bill refines existing terminology to ensure consistent identification of exploitation incidents involving minors in commercial sex, aligning with broader child protection standards. It does not create new penalties but clarifies how such cases are documented and addressed within the state's child welfare system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's liquor control code to require server training for employees at alcohol-serving establishments, directly affecting bars, restaurants, and retail licensees. It establishes a "responsible vendor" program for licensees that complete mandatory training and maintain a 12-month violation-free record regarding serving to minors or intoxicated persons. The training curriculum covers identifying intoxication signs, handling minors, legal consequences, and recognizing prohibited activities like solicitation for prostitution or drug sales. Licensees must ensure trained supervisory staff are present during all service hours, with noncompliance risking license sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 5025 amends Michigan's Human Trafficking Notification Act to expand where human trafficking notices must be posted. It requires adult entertainment establishments and property owners with court-ordered public nuisance findings related to prostitution, commercial sexual activity, or trafficking to display these notices. The bill also clarifies that public airports must post notices, building on existing requirements for rest stops, transit stations, and other locations. These changes take effect 90 days after enactment, directing the Department of Transportation to set posting standards. The bill does not alter prostitution laws but modifies notification obligations for specific venues and properties.

Maddy summaryHB 5026 clarifies who must register as a sex offender under Michigan's Sex Offenders Registration Act. It amends the definition of "convicted" to include specific cases: individuals under 18 who received juvenile dispositions for Tier III offenses (open to the public), out-of-state juvenile adjudications meeting age/offense criteria, and certain juvenile dispositions under Michigan's probate code. These changes ensure individuals meeting these specific conditions are subject to registration requirements. The bill directly affects people with certain past juvenile or out-of-state offenses that would classify them as Tier III offenders. It does not change registration periods or penalties, only refines the eligibility criteria for registration.

Maddy summaryHB 5022 amends Michigan's Revised Judicature Act to update terminology related to prostitution in nuisance laws. It replaces the terms "prostitute" and "prostitution" with the phrase "persons who provide or offer to provide commercial sexual activity" in Section 3801, which defines properties as nuisances when used for such activities. This change directly affects property owners, landlords, or managers of buildings, vehicles, or other spaces used for commercial sexual activity, as they could face nuisance charges under the updated law. The bill is contingent on the passage of companion bill HB 5016 and does not alter the underlying legal standards for nuisance designation.