LANSING, Mich., Dec. 3, 2024 — The House Criminal Justice Committee passed legislation today to eliminate life without parole sentencing for juveniles as well as create the Second Chance Sentencing Act.
House Bills 4160–4164 would prevent a juvenile from being sentenced to life without parole in Michigan and instead impose a term of imprisonment for 20-60 years.
“Michigan has more inmates sentenced to life as juveniles than any other state in the nation. These bills are moving our state in a more just direction,” said state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), who chairs the committee. “This is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card — it’s an opportunity for kids who made mistakes before their brains were fully developed, and who’ve spent at least 20 years in prison the chance to make something with the rest of their lives.”
House Bills 4556–4560 would create a procedure to allow certain incarcerated individuals to have a “second look” taken at their sentencing. These certain individuals, incarcerated to a term of more than 20 years can petition the court to reduce their original sentence and be resentenced. Not all offenses are eligible for resentencing.
“This legislation will allow certain incarcerated individuals the opportunity to have their sentence reviewed,” Hope said. “Michigan has some of the longest sentences issued in the nation, and research has shown that sentence length is one of the least effective ways to deter crime. This bill package offers a path forward for incarcerated individuals who are ready to reenter society.”
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