WeVote
Log In

Bill

CT

Bill

SB 972

Modifies provisions relating to railroad crossings

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Curtis Trent

Michigan SB 972 expands parole review for inmates sentenced before 1980 with new carve-outs (35a/83a) and enlarges the parole board to 13 members.

Prefiled
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 972

Summary — SB 972 (Corrections: parole; parole consideration for certain individuals sentenced before 1980)

Status: Referred to Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety. Introduced: Jan 29, 2025. Subject: Corrections — parole.

Main purpose / intent

SB 972 revises Michigan’s parole statutes to (1) require consideration of parole for certain individuals sentenced before 1980 by adding new statutory provisions (sections 35a and 83a); and (2) make structural and procedural changes to the state parole board and parole-eligibility rules contained in the Corrections Code of 1953 (MCL 791.231a et seq.). Overall the bill seeks to expand parole‑review pathways for some long‑term inmates while updating parole board composition and certain parole‑eligibility mechanics.

Key provisions and changes

  • Parole board composition (amends MCL 791.231a / Sec. 31a)

    • Increases the parole board membership from 10 to 13 members.
    • Members are appointed by the Director of the Department of Corrections (appointments not subject to state civil service).
    • Staggered 4‑year terms; members may be removed for incompetency, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance.
    • At least four members must not have been previously employed by or appointed to positions in the Department of Corrections.
    • The Director designates the chairperson, who oversees administration and may participate in parole decisions.

  • Parole eligibility and conditions (amends Sec. 33 and related sections)

    • Retains general parole conditions: parole may only be granted when the board has reasonable assurance the prisoner will not be a menace, employment/education/care arrangements are made, and certain education requirements are satisfied for prisoners with minimum terms of two years or more (with specified waiver authorities).
    • Clarifies interplay with disciplinary time, good‑time credits, and minimum court‑imposed terms.
    • Explicitly references and creates exceptions tied to newly added sections (35a and 83a) that permit parole consideration for classes of prisoners who otherwise would be ineligible.

  • Crimes and ineligibility (amends Sec. 33b)

    • Retains a statutory list of serious offenses for which parole is generally unavailable until the minimum term is served; however, the bill allows that persons convicted of listed offenses may be considered for parole under the new statutory exceptions (sections 35(10) or 35a).

  • New sections (adds Secs. 35a and 83a)

    • These added sections (text not fully reproduced in the provided excerpt) are the vehicle by which the bill’s primary policy — parole consideration for certain individuals sentenced before 1980 — is implemented. The bill expressly amends multiple eligibility provisions to reference those new sections.

Who or what is affected

  • Prisoners incarcerated in Michigan, particularly those sentenced before 1980 who may gain eligibility for parole consideration under the new statutory carve‑outs.
  • Michigan Parole Board: expanded membership, altered appointment/qualification framework, and operational responsibilities for administering expanded parole review.
  • Michigan Department of Corrections: administrative impacts from board expansion and additional parole hearings and processing.
  • Victims, community supervision agencies, and local communities could be affected by changes in parole outcomes.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill text amends sections 31a, 33, 33b, and 34 of the Corrections Code of 1953 and adds sections 35a and 83a.
  • Currently referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety (per the filing information provided).
  • If enacted, implementation will require the Director to appoint three additional parole board members and the board to administer any new review protocols created by the added sections.

Potential impacts (practical considerations)

  • Broadening parole‑review eligibility for older sentences may increase the number of hearings and administrative workload for the parole board and DOC.
  • May produce release opportunities for aging or very long‑term inmates sentenced under older laws; proponents could cite humanitarian and reentry considerations, while opponents may raise public‑safety or victim‑notification concerns.
  • Staffing, training, and procedural rule‑making for the enlarged parole board will be necessary.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive changes to Michigan’s parole law as reflected in the statutory sections identified in the bill caption (MCL 791.231a et seq.).

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

Sign in to ask a question.