2013 House Bill 4808 / 2014 Public Act 23

Revise first degree murder lifer law for minors

Introduced in the House

June 6, 2013

Introduced by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R-61)

To revise the application to minors of the state’s mandatory life imprisonment for first degree murder law, so as to conform with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miller v Alabama. A Senate Fiscal Agency <a href="http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Departments/DepartmentPublications/CorrJuvenileLifersMemo.pdf">memo</a> describes the ruling and its application to Michigan law. This bill is part of a package, and would address the prospective application of the ruling going forward.

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

Dec. 4, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 10, 2013

Substitute offered

The substitute failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Margaret O’Brien (R-61)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Dec. 11, 2013

Passed in the House 59 to 50 (details)

Received in the Senate

Dec. 12, 2013

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Jan. 15, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Feb. 11, 2014

Amendment offered

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 319, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 319 contains provisions specifying the terms of less-than-life sentences for these juvenile offenders.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Feb. 12, 2014

Passed in the Senate 35 to 3 (details)

To revise Michigan's mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for certain very serious crimes committed by minors. The bill is linked to Senate Bill 319, which would make life without parole no longer be automatic in these cases, but prosecutors could request it. Otherwise, the minimum sentence would be 25 to 40 years, and the maximum at least 60 years. This and SB 319 respond to the U.S. Supreme Court's Miller v Alabama decision. The bills would not apply the new standard retroactively to the approximately 350 current prisoners in this category, but include a provision authorizing parole hearings for them if a future ruling requires this.

Received in the House

Feb. 12, 2014

Feb. 13, 2014

Passed in the House 60 to 50 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

March 4, 2014