Juvenile Justice Reforms Signed into Law

Dec 15, 2023

by Liz Gullett

As MLC’s Communications and Social Media Manager, Liz Gullett keeps clients informed and up-to-date on the goings on in Lansing and the Capitol.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist signed a bipartisan package of legislation reforming Michigan’s juvenile justice system and investing in diversion and re-entry services. The bills implement the recommendations of the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, which was formed in 2021 by Governor Whitmer to analyze the state’s juvenile justice system and make recommendations.

The changes include:

    • Allowing juvenile courts and law enforcement to use risk and mental health screening tools to be more flexible about whether to keep a juvenile out of detention or court and keeping them in diversion programs for no more than three months.
    • Allows county governments to use the Child Care Fund to support evidence-driven, community-based services for juveniles that prevent recidivism and improve outcomes.
    • Removes certain fees and costs for juvenile defendants.
    • Changes the name of the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman to the Office of the Child Advocate.
    • Requires the Child Advocate to protect the rights and welfare of children in juvenile facilities and allows judges to file complaints with the Child Advocate on their behalf.
    • Allows courts to consider factors such as a juvenile’s developmental maturity, emotional health, mental health, tribal status, and victim impacts when deciding whether to try them as an adult.
    • Sets up an appellate defense system for indigent youth, ensuring they have representation in their appeals.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Recent Posts

June Revenue Grows

June Revenue Grows

Michigan’s major taxes and net lottery revenue totaled $3.3 billion last month, an increase of 8.3% from June 2024. The June 2025 collections came in about $64 million above prior projections, according to the latest report by the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency. Key...

First-Ever Innovation Fund Awardees Announced

First-Ever Innovation Fund Awardees Announced

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the initial eight recipients of the first-ever Michigan Innovation Fund, which was signed into law earlier this year. With bipartisan support from elected officials in the legislature, the fund received a $60 million appropriation...

Medical Decisions Change Introduced

Medical Decisions Change Introduced

Legislation establishing a clear framework for family members or close friends to make critical medical decisions when necessary was introduced this week Key Points: SB 482 was introduced by Senator Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) Currently, hospitals and other health care...

Looking for older articles?

We’ve recently made improvements to our blog to provide a better user experience. If you’re searching for older posts, click here to search our archive.

Michigan Legislative Consultants

Michigan Legislative Consultants
110 W. Michigan Avenue
Suite 500
Lansing, MI 48933
517.372.2560
517.372.0130 fax

1001 Woodward Avenue
Suite 500
Detroit, MI 48226

MLC is proud to be the Michigan member of NASL