SB 3: Fixing Justice for Families

Senate Bill 3: The Mid-Michigan Justice Reform Act

 

Formal Senate Version

 

A BILL

To reform the justice system in Michigan’s 35th Senate District by reducing youth incarceration, enhancing family and criminal court accountability—ensuring fair treatment for fathers in custody cases and prioritizing family unity—and addressing crime’s root causes through prevention and rehabilitation, all funded without increasing taxpayer burden.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

Section 1. Short Title

This act may be cited as the “Mid-Michigan Justice Reform Act.”

 

Section 2. Purpose

To address the justice system crisis in the 35th Senate District by:  

(a) Reducing youth incarceration through diversion and rehabilitation programs.  

(b) Ensuring family courts prioritize family unity and fair custody outcomes for fathers.  

(c) Allocating $75 million over five years for prevention, court oversight, and community safety.  

(d) Ensuring no new tax increases by leveraging state surpluses and federal grants.

 

Section 3. Definitions

(a) “35th District” refers to Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties.  

(b) “Youth” means individuals under 18 years of age.  

(c) “Justice Fund” means the Mid-Michigan Justice Reform Fund established herein.  

(d) “Family Court” refers to courts handling custody and parental rights in the 35th District.

 

Section 4. Youth Justice Reform

(a) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shall establish diversion programs to reduce youth detention by 50% in the 35th District by 2030.  

(b) Funds shall support:  

   - Community-based alternatives (e.g., mentorship, counseling) over incarceration.  

   - Training for law enforcement in de-escalation and youth-specific interventions.  

(c) Juvenile court sentences shall prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, barring violent offenses.

 

Section 5. Mid-Michigan Justice Reform Fund**  

(a) Establishes the “Mid-Michigan Justice Reform Fund” with:  

   - $40 million from state budget surplus (FY 2026).  

   - $35 million from federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) grants, leveraging Michigan’s $10 million annual allocation.  

(b) Funds shall be allocated over 5 years (2026-2030) for:  

   - $30 million: Youth diversion and rehabilitation (e.g., Saginaw mentorship hubs).  

   - $25 million: Court accountability (e.g., family court oversight, public defender upgrades).  

   - $20 million: Root cause prevention (e.g., after-school programs, Midland job training).  

(c) MDHHS and Michigan Courts shall prioritize projects based on crime data, family court outcomes, and public input.

 

Section 6. Court Accountability and Family Court Reform**  

(a) Allocates $25 million to:  

   - Hire 15 additional public defenders for Bay, Midland, and Saginaw courts ($10 million).  

   - Reduce criminal and family court backlogs by 30% by 2028 through expedited processing ($5 million).  

   - Establish a Family Court Oversight Program ($10 million) to:  

     - Train judges and staff in equitable custody practices, emphasizing fathers’ rights and family unity.  

     - Review custody decisions for bias—targeting a 20% increase in shared custody outcomes by 2028.  

(b) Requires annual public reports on court efficiency, youth outcomes, and family court fairness metrics.

 

Section 7. Root Cause Prevention

(a) Provides $20 million for:  

   - After-school programs in high-crime Saginaw zones (e.g., 48601 zip).  

   - Job training partnerships with local employers (e.g., Bay City manufacturing).  

(b) Targets at-risk youth and families to prevent initial offenses and family breakdown—building on Michigan’s 2023 HB 4625.

 

Section 8. Public Oversight

(a) Creates a “35th District Justice Council” (5 members: 2 elected residents, 1 Bay official, 1 Midland official, 1 Saginaw official) to oversee fund use and report annually to the Senate.  

(b) Council meetings shall be public, with online access.

 

Section 9. Funding Assurance

(a) No new taxes or fees shall be levied to support this act.  

(b) MDHHS shall pursue additional federal grants (e.g., JJDPA’s $600 million pool) to supplement the Justice Fund.

 

Section 10. Effective Date

This act takes effect upon passage and signature by the Governor, with implementation beginning January 1, 2026.

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