Legislation to classify 17-year-olds as minors in Michigan’s criminal justice system are on track to head to the governor after lawmakers struck a compromise deal to address funding concerns.
The Michigan Senate overwhelmingly approved House versions of bills amending various areas of Michigan law to categorize 17-year-olds as minors Wednesday, a day after the House voted out the Senate version.
Lawmakers will get the final product to the governor as "quickly as possible’ after determining which bills from each chamber will be presented, said Amber McCann, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake.
Currently, Michigan is one of the few remaining states where 17-year-olds are automatically tried, sentenced and incarcerated as adults if they’re charged with or convicted of a crime. Advocates say the change would help put teenagers who come into contact with the criminal justice system on a path towards rehabilitation instead of a life of crime.
“By fixing this outdated and ineffective law, one of the very last of its kind in the country, policymakers can improve child well-being, kids’ academic and career opportunities, public safety, racial equity, the future of our local communities and more,” Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Gilda Jacobs said in a statement.
If signed into law, the bulk of the bills would take effect October 1, 2021. 17-year-olds and other teens who commit violent crimes like murder or rape could still be prosecuted as adults under the legislation.
Sen. Pete Lucido, R-Shelby Twp., was one of the lead sponsors on the Senate versions of the bills. He told reporters after the Senate vote that “Raise the Age” legislation was long overdue, noting that when a person is 17, they can’t vote, sit on a jury, enter into a legal contract or enlist in the military.
“When I see our state lagging behind on something so near and dear to my heart...it does us no good,” he said. “Finish the job.”
The “Raise the Age” concept has enjoyed wide bipartisan support this session, but a sticking point in the proceedings had been determining how the change would be funded.
Currently, the state splits the costs of juvenile justice 50-50 with counties. Counties were concerned about shouldering the additional costs of adding 17-year-olds to the system, so the compromise deal has the state fully reimbursing counties for those costs.
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, Bethany Wicksall of the State Budget Office expressed concerns the plan could have long-term cost implications, noting there’s no rules in place that would measure whether reimbursements were reasonable.
Tiffany Brown, a spokesperson for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said the administration is supportive of the overall goal of the legislation and is reviewing the substitutes adopted in committee.
Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, expressed relief that Michigan would no longer be lagging behind other states when it comes to dealing with youth in the criminal justice system.
“It will help to make sure we’re on the right side of history when it comes to our 17-year-olds and making sure they have a real opportunity at reform,” Santana said. “We are changing the way Michigan thinks about criminal justice reform."
Related links:
Senate votes to classify 17-year-olds as youth in Michigan’s criminal justice system
Senators revive plan to classify 17-year-olds as youth in Michigan’s criminal justice system