FYI: Corrections Conference
Balancing Our Priorities: Can We Safely Spend Less on Corrections?
Friday, May 2, 8:30 – 12:30 at West Campus of Lansing Community College
The conference is hosted by the State Bar Prisons & Corrections Section, State Bar Criminal Law Section, Citizens Alliance on Prisons & Public Spending, Michigan Corrections Association and the Michigan Council on Crime & Delinquency.
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In the Capitol
Committee meetings of interest for the week of 4/24
4/22 Senate Judiciary
Agenda: Discussion on the Performance Audit of Prisoner Medical and Dental Services, Department of Corrections; Discussion on the Performance Audit of the Special Alternative Incarceration Program, Department of Corrections; HB 4184 Revise the eligibility requirements for special alternative incarceration programs for prisoners; HB 4272 Revise the eligibility requirements for special alternative incarceration program as a condition of probation.

4/22 Senate Appropriations: Human Services
Agenda: Department of Human Services overview; Review of initiatives from FY 2007-08; Foster Care.

4/23 Senate Appropriations: Judiciary & Corrections
Agenda: Overview of the FY 2008-09 Judiciary Budget by Honorable Clifford W. Taylor, Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and Honorable Henry William Saad, Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

4/23 House Judiciary
Agenda: HB 4330 Provide for requirement of GPS monitoring device for individuals convicted of aggravated stalking; HB 4453 Provide for monitoring and notification of GPS monitoring of defendants charged with domestic violence crimes and released on bail; HB 5534 Provide for recording of order setting aside forged deed following criminal conviction; HB 4973
Create exemption from open meetings act for employment relations commission.
Positions on HB 5534:
SBM Position on HB 5534: Support and recommend amendment suggested by the Committee on Justice Initiatives  
Criminal Jurisprudence & Practice Committee Position: Support in Concept
Committee on Justice Initiatives Position: Support and Amend

Complete Committee Meeting List

New Public Acts

Legislation Introduced 4/15 – 4/17
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB 5987 Corrections; jails; emergency overcrowding release procedure; modify as to unsentenced prisoners. Amends sec. 6 of 1982 PA 325 (MCL 801.56).

HB 5994 Torts; liability; limitation of liability for certain injuries from liquefied petroleum gas; provide for. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2977.

HJR YY Elections; primary; procedure for nomination of incumbent supreme court justices; revise. Amends sec. 2, art. VI of the state constitution.

Of General Interest
HB 5986 Crimes; fraud; use of an individual's name, image, or identity to make a profit without individual's permission; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 5991 Higher education; state universities; in-state tuition for illegal aliens; prohibit. Creates new act.

At The Bar
Registration for Annual Meeting is Now Open

Sections and Committees
Civil Procedure & Courts Committee submitted a public policy position on the following items:

Oppose: SB 1001 Civil procedure; civil actions; sanctions for advocating a frivolous claim or defense in a civil action; allow court to impose sanctions in addition to costs and attorney fees. Amends sec. 2591 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.259).

Oppose: SB 1002 Civil procedure; costs and fees; attorney fees; require losing party to pay winning party's fees in a civil lawsuit. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 2443.

Committee on Justice Initiatives submitted a public policy position on HB 5534 Criminal procedure; verdicts; recording of order setting aside forged deed following criminal conviction; provide for. Amends secs. 248 & 249 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.248 & 750.249). 

Criminal Jurisprudence & Practice Committee submitted a public policy position on the following items:

Support: HB 5089 Criminal procedure; DNA; deadline for filing petition for DNA testing in felony conviction cases; extend, and revise certain procedures for obtaining test of DNA evidence. Amends sec. 16, ch. X of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 770.16).

Oppose: HB 5260 Criminal procedure; search and seizure; warrants authorizing electronic interception or recording of communications; revise certain procedures for. Amends 1966 PA 189 (MCL 780.651 - 780.659) by adding sec. 2b.

Support: HB 5534 Criminal procedure; verdicts; recording of order setting aside forged deed following criminal conviction; provide for. Amends secs. 248 & 249 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.248 & 750.249). 

Support: HB 5568 Criminal procedure; sentencing; certain records necessary to obtain identification documents; assist convicted persons in obtaining. Amends sec. 14, ch. XI of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 771.14).

Oppose: HJR OO Criminal procedure; bail; individual charged with a felony who has entered or remained in United States illegally; prohibit granting bail. Amends sec. 15, art. I of the state constitution.

Domestic Violence Committee submitted a public policy position on HB 5598 Family law; marriage and divorce; placement of pets by court in an annulment, divorce, or separate maintenance action; provide for. Amends 1846 RS 84 (MCL 552.1 - 552.45) by adding sec. 22a.

Federal News
U.S. to Expand Collection Of Crime Suspects’ DNA
(The Washington Post, 4/17/08)

State News
Man Exonerated After 12 Years in Prison
(The Detroit News, 4/15/08)

 Mentally Ill Inmates Cost $400M Year
(The Detroit News, 4/15/08)

Links of Interest
Public Policy Resource Center | Michigan Supreme Court | Michigan Legislature | MCL Search Engines