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HB 4962

Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crimes related to the employment of minors; provide for. Amends sec. 14b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.14b).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Helena Scott and 2 co-sponsors

HB 4962 adds youth-employment related felonies to sentencing guidelines with defined classes and max terms for offenses including serious harm or death to minors.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
#criminalprocedure:sentencingguidelines
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Bill Summary · HB 4962

Summary — HB 4962 (sentencing guidelines for crimes related to employment of minors)

Status: Referred to Committee on Government Operations (companion to HB 4932)
Primary sponsor (as introduced): Rep. Helena Scott

Purpose and intent

HB 4962 would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure’s sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.14b) to add and categorize felony offenses created or modified by companion legislation (HB 4932) that strengthens penalties for unlawful employment of minors. The bill’s purpose is to ensure felony offenses tied to youth-employment violations are explicitly listed in the sentencing-guidelines chapter so courts can apply standardized sentencing ranges.

Key provisions

  • Adds the felonies created or revised under the Youth Employment Standards Act (MCL 409.102 et seq., as amended by HB 4932) to the sentencing-guidelines table in MCL 777.14b.
  • Establishes guideline classification levels for felony violations related to unlawful employment of minors, including:
    • Employment of a minor during certain hours that results in death or great bodily harm:
    • 1st offense — Class E felony (statutory maximum term: 5 years)
    • 2nd offense — Class D felony (statutory maximum term: 10 years)
    • 3rd or subsequent offense — Class B felony (statutory maximum term: 20 years)
    • Other felony violations under the Youth Employment Standards Act (repeat offenders):
    • 2nd offense — Class G felony (statutory maximum term: 2 years)
    • 3rd or subsequent offense — Class E felony (statutory maximum term: 5 years)
  • Updates internal statutory references in the sentencing-guidelines chapter to reflect paragraph/numbering changes made in the underlying youth-employment statute.

Who would be affected

  • Employers (and their agents) who violate youth-employment laws — particularly those whose violations cause serious injury or death to a minor — would face felony-level sentencing ranges under the guidelines.
  • Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and courts — because the new entries integrate these offenses into the state’s sentencing framework.
  • Corrections and probation systems — potentially affected by changes in felony sentencing patterns.
  • The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and other enforcement bodies indirectly, as HB 4962 is tied to enforcement provisions of HB 4932.

Procedural/timing notes and fiscal effects

  • HB 4962 is contingent on enactment of HB 4932 (the companion bill that creates or modifies the underlying offenses and penalties). It cannot take effect unless HB 4932 is also enacted.
  • Fiscal impact is indeterminate. Adding felony sentencing guideline entries could increase state costs (prison, parole/probation) if felony convictions rise; it could also increase fine revenue. LEO and court workload impacts depend on enforcement and prosecutorial activity.

Legal references

  • Amends: MCL 777.14b (sentencing guidelines chapter)
  • Underlying statutes affected by companion bill: Youth Employment Standards Act (MCL 409.102 et seq.) — as amended by HB 4932

(Prepared from House Fiscal Agency analyses and bill text as introduced and reported in committee.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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