Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for individual 16 years of age or less in house of prostitution; modify. Amends sec. 16w, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16w). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0520'25, SB 0705'25
SB 521 amends Michigan’s sentencing guidelines statute for certain prostitution- and human trafficking-related felonies. The bill updates the list of offenses in chapter 17 of the code of criminal procedure that are subject to the sentencing guidelines, including prostitution offenses, pandering, transporting a person for prostitution, and multiple human trafficking crimes. It also specifically addresses the offense of obtaining a minor for commercial sexual activity or forced labor/services, and it clarifies how attempts, conspiracies, or solicitations to commit human trafficking are scored for sentencing purposes.
A key change in the bill is that for a violation of MCL 750.462f(3), the sentencing category, offense variable level, and prior record variable level would be determined based on the underlying offense. The bill also keeps in place the existing classification structure for related offenses, including enhanced treatment for offenses involving minors, bodily injury, serious bodily injury, death, or other serious felonies. The act would take effect 90 days after enactment, but only if companion bills SB 520 and SB 705 are also enacted.
The bill would amend MCL 777.16w in Michigan’s sentencing guidelines to refine how courts classify and score prostitution and human trafficking offenses, especially attempted, conspired, or solicited violations and offenses involving minors. This affects sentencing exposure for defendants convicted under the listed statutes and may influence plea negotiations, charging decisions, and judicial scoring under the guidelines. The bill is tied to SB 520 and SB 705, meaning its legal effect depends on enactment of the related package.
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill. It was reported favorably without amendment in committee and later passed the Senate unanimously, 34-0. No committee transcripts were provided, but the vote pattern suggests broad agreement on the need to adjust sentencing rules for prostitution and human trafficking offenses, particularly those involving minors and other aggravating circumstances.
There is little visible contention in the available record, as the bill advanced without recorded opposition in committee or on the Senate floor. The main policy issue appears to be how aggressively sentencing guidelines should treat prostitution-related and human trafficking offenses, especially the treatment of attempts, conspiracies, and solicitations under the underlying offense framework. Because the bill is tie-barred to SB 520 and SB 705, another point of procedural significance is that the package is intended to move together rather than as a standalone change.