Michigan Senate Bill SB0217

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/17/25
• Refer: 4/17/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Report Pass: 6/10/25
• Refer: 6/5/25
• Refer: 6/10/25
• Report Pass: 6/11/25
• Engrossed: 6/24/25
• Refer: 6/24/25

Caption

Traffic control: accidents; penalties for moving violation causing physical injury or death to a vulnerable roadway user; enhance. Amends sec. 12e, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.12e). TIE BAR WITH: SB 216'25

Summary

SB 217 amends Michigan’s sentencing guidelines in the Code of Criminal Procedure to increase the penalty scoring for a set of traffic-related felonies, with a particular focus on offenses involving vulnerable roadway users and operators of implements of husbandry. The bill updates section 12e of chapter XVII to list the covered offenses and their offense classes, including moving violations causing death or serious injury in work zones or school bus zones, fleeing and eluding in various degrees, use of a signal preemption device, and failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury or death. The practical effect is to raise the sentencing guideline treatment for these offenses, which can lead to longer recommended prison terms or otherwise more severe punishment under Michigan’s sentencing framework. The bill is tied to SB 216, meaning it would only take effect if that companion bill is also enacted, and it would become effective 90 days after enactment.

Impact

The bill changes Michigan’s sentencing guidelines by amending MCL 777.12e to include and classify additional traffic offenses, especially those involving vulnerable roadway users, farm equipment operators, and serious crash-and-flee conduct. It affects how courts score and sentence these offenses under the state’s criminal procedure code, but it does not itself create the underlying traffic crimes; rather, it adjusts the punishment framework for existing offenses in the Vehicle Code.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. It was reported favorably out of committee without amendment and then passed the Senate on third reading by a 30-6 vote, indicating broad support but not unanimity. No committee transcript was provided, so the record here shows support in the legislative process but not detailed debate.

Contention

The main policy point of contention appears to be whether sentencing enhancements are the appropriate response to traffic offenses involving injury or death, especially for vulnerable roadway users. Supporters likely view the bill as a public-safety measure that better reflects the seriousness of these crashes and hit-and-run or fleeing conduct, while opponents may be concerned about harsher penalties, sentencing expansion, or whether the changes should be paired with the companion bill. The tie-bar to SB 216 is also notable, because SB 217 cannot take effect unless the related bill is enacted.