April, 2021

We offer, on a continuing basis, summaries of recently signed, recently passed, and important proposed state legislation as a supplement to our annual survey.

INTRODUCED

Allow 5-Year Parole Review Under Certain Conditions

HBs 4562 and 4563 would amend MCL 791.233e and MCL 791.246 to allow the parole board to conduct a subsequent review of a prisoner (except those serving a life sentence) not more than five years after the review denying parole if a majority of the board finds that the prisoner’s predatory, deviant, or violent behavior indicates a present risk to public safety that cannot reasonably be expected to be mitigated within 60 months. The bill was introduced in the House on March 23, 2021. 
Create Crime of Assault on Sports Official

HBs 4572 and 4573 would amend the Michigan Penal Code by adding MCL 750.81f to create the crime of assaulting a sports official before, during, or after a sporting event or for duties executed as a sports official and amend MCL 777.16d to create sentencing guidelines for the offense. The bills were introduced in the House on March 24, 2021.

Increase Fines for Wage Discrimination Based on Sex

HB 4587 would amend MCL 750.556 to increase the fines imposed for the offense of discriminating in the wages between individuals of different sexes who are similarly employed. The bill was introduced in the House on March 24, 2021. SB 326, introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2021, would likewise increase the fines for the offense.

by John Zevalking
Associate Editor