The following is a summary of legislation that passed the House the week of March 6, 2017. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact the my office at 517-303-8692 or AndySchor@house.mi.gov.

FOIA Exemption for Submitted Bid Info

SB 69 (Jones) RC 10, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Returned to Senate  

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description: SB 69 (Jones) would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) bid, quote, and proposal information for government contracts until the contract has been awarded.

Define “Recidivism,” “Technical Parole Violation” and “Technical Probation Violation”

SB 5 (H-1) (Proos) RC 11, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

SB 6 (H-2) (Schuitmaker) RC 12, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

SB 7 (H-1) (Knollenberg) RC 13, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 5 (H-1) (Proos), SB 6 (H-2) (Schuitmaker), and SB 7 (H-1) (Knollenberg) would amend the “Code of Criminal Procedure,” “Community Corrections Act,” “Corrections Code of 1953” to define “recidivism,” “technical parole violation,” and “technical probation violation.” “Recidivism” would mean the “rearrest, reconviction, or reincarceration in prison or jail for a felony or misdemeanor offense or a probation or parole violation of an individual. The individual would be measured first after three years and again after five years from his or her release from incarceration, being placed on probation or conviction, whichever is later.”  “Technical parole violation” would mean a violation of the terms of a parolee’s parole order that is not a violation a law of Michigan, a local unit of government, another state’s law, federal law, or of tribal law. Similarly, the definition of “technical probation violation” would mean a violation of a probationer’s probation order that would not include violation of state, local, or federal/ tribal laws.

Require Evidence-Based Supervision Programs for Probationers and Parolees

SB 8 (H-3) (MacGregor) RC 14, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 8 (H-3) (MacGregor) would require that all supervision programs for probationers or parolees that receive state funds be evidence-based within 4 years.

Allow Non-Profits to Provide Inmate Reentry Services

SB 9 (H-1) (Proos) RC 15, 3/8/17, Passed 73-34

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 9 (H-1) (Proos) would expand the pool of organizations that would be eligible to provide inmate reentry services within Michigan prisons.

Require MDOC Quarterly Reports on Inmates Beyond Earliest Release Date

SB 10 (H-1) (O’Brien) RC 16, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 10 (H-1) (O’Brien) would require the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) to submit a quarterly report to the Legislature on the number of inmates that have reached and are beyond their earliest possible parole date.

Provide for the Collection of Criminal Justice Data

SB 11 (H-2) (Colbeck) RC 17, 3/8/17, Passed 83-24

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 11 (H-2) (Colbeck) bill would create the "Criminal Justice Data Collection and Management Act." It would provide for the daily collection and reporting of data related to crimes, offenders, and recidivism.

Expedited Medical Commutation Hearings

SB 12 (S-1) (Jones) RC 18, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 12 (S-1) (Jones) would establish procedures to provide for expedited commutation hearings process for inmates based on their medical condition.

Cap Amount of Incarceration Time for Technical Probation Violators

SB 13 (H-1) (Knollenberg) RC 19, 3/8/17, Passed 99-8

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description: SB 13 (H-1) (Knollenberg) would allow technical probation violators be incarcerated for not more than 30 days for each technical violation. The bill would allow the court to extend temporary incarceration to 90 days if it has ordered a violator to attend a treatment program for which there is a waiting list.

Authorize Courts to Grant “Good Time” Reductions in Probation Terms

SB 15 (H-1) (Brandenburg) RC 20, 3/8/17, Passed 100-7

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 15 (H-1) (Brandenburg) would allow a court to reduce a term of probation, under certain conditions due to a probationer’s good behavior.

Establish Parole Sanctions Certainty Program for Certain Parole Violators

SB 16 (H-1) (Proos) RC 21, 3/8/17, Passed 103-4

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 16 (H-1) (Proos) would institute the Parole Sanctions Certainty Program. It establishes a framework for the program that would allow parolees to participate in a graduated sanctions program aimed at improving parolee success. The program is similar to the existing Swift and Sure Sanctions Program for probationers.

Incent Parole and Probation Agents to Reduce Recidivism Rates

SB 17 (H-2) (Shirkey) RC 22, 3/8/17, Passed 63-44

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 17 (H-2) (Shirkey) would create the "Supervising Region Incentive Act to give parole and probation agents and supervisors incentives to keep individuals out of prison.

Require MDOC to Report Parole and Probation Absconders to DHHS

SB 18 (H-1) (Horn) RC 23, 3/8/17, Passed 103-4

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 18 (H-1) (Horn) would require the Department of Corrections to report parole and probation absconders to the Department of Health & Human Services.

Prohibit Absconders from Receiving Public Assistance

SB 19 (H-1) (Zorn) RC 24, 3/8/17, Passed 101-6

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 19 (H-1) (Zorn) would prohibit absconders (for which law enforcement is actively seeking due to a warrant) from receiving public assistance.

Allow MDOC to Use a High School Equivalency Certification Program

SB 20 (Robertson) RC 25, 3/8/17, Passed 104-3

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 20 (Robertson) would replace the term "general education development certificate (G.E.D.)" with "high school equivalency certificate” in the Corrections Code. The bill would allow MDOC to use a certification program other than the G.E.D.    

Make Minor Crime Victims Eligible for Crime Victims’ Rights Fund Assistance  

SB 21 (H-2) (WARREN) RC 26, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 21 (H-2) (WARREN) would clarify that minor victims of crime are eligible for assistance from the Crime Victims’ Rights Fund.

Special Programming for Youthful Prison Inmates

SB 22 (H-1) (JOHNSON) RC 27, 3/8/17, Passed 107-0

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 22 (H-1) (JOHNSON) would require the MDOC to provide programming designed for youth rehabilitation for inmates who are ages 18-22. The bill would require MDOC to consult with the Family Divisions of the Circuit Courts in Michigan to seek recommendations regarding this programming. The bill would require the programming to include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) mentoring programs provided by individuals who do not have criminal records; and (2) career skills evaluation and career counseling.

Create Swift and Sure Probation Fund

SB 23 (H-1) (Proos) RC 28, 3/8/17, Passed 106-1

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 23 (H-1) (Proos) would make several updates to the Probation Swift & Sure Sanctions Act. It would create the Swift & Sure Probation Supervision Fund within the State Treasury. It would also allow Swift & Sure courts to accept participants from other jurisdictions, and set forth eligibility requirements for participants.

Allow Circuit Court to Implement Swift & Sure Sanction Program by Statute, Court Rule

SB 24 (Proos) RC 29, 3/8/17, Passed 106-1

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 24 (Proos) bill would allow a circuit court to implement a Swift & Sure sanctions court, by statute or court rule. It would allow these courts to accept participants from other jurisdictions, under certain circumstances. It amends the Revised Judicature Act to reflect the changes made by SB 23.

Implement County Jail Bed Savings Program

SB 50 (Booher) RC 30, 3/8/17, Passed 65-42

Next: Ordered Enrolled

Committee: Michigan Competitiveness

Description:

SB 50 (Booher) would re-establish a county jail bed program, which would allow the Department of Corrections to house certain eligible prisoners in county jails rather than in MDOC facilities. MDOC would reimburse counties $35 per prisoner, per day. Participation by counties is voluntary. It mirrors the Leased Beds/Virtual Prison program that existed for several years, but eliminated in 2016.

Funeral Representative:  Surviving Spouse

SB 39 (Jones) RC 31, 3/9/17, Passed 108-0

Next: Returned to Senate

Committee: Judiciary

Description:

SB 39 (Jones) amends MCL 700.2801 of the “Estates and Protected Individuals Code” so that an individual described above could be considered a surviving spouse for the purpose of making decisions about funeral arrangements or the final disposition of a deceased person under Section 3206.  The bill also deletes references to a "husband and wife" contained in Section 2801 and instead refers to a "married couple."

                                                                                                                     

Make Resignations and Removals from Legislature Effective For Duration of Term

HB 4208 (Miller) RC 32, 3/9/17, Passed 72-36

Next: Sent to Senate  

Committee: Elections and Ethics

Description:

HB 4208 (Miller) amends the Michigan Election Law, stating that the resignation or removal of an individual from the office of state senator or representative remains effective for the duration of the unexpired legislative term.