Bill
HB 5018
Aligns juvenile probate code language to "commercial sexual activity" and cross-references to the Penal Code, broadening dependency findings for juveniles involved in sex-related o
Title: Crimes: prostitution; references to prostitute and prostitution; modify in the Probate Code of 1939. Amends sections 2, 13a & 18k, ch. XIIA (MCL 712A.2, 712A.13a, 712A.18k). Tie-bar: HB 5016 (2025).
Introduced: March 13, 2025. Electronically reproduced / House introduced: September 18, 2025. Referred to Committee on Judiciary (read first time Sept. 18, 2025). Sponsors include Rep. Regina Weiss and others.
Purpose
- Update language and statutory references in Michigan’s juvenile (probate) code related to sex-related offenses by juveniles, replacing or aligning older references to “prostitute”/“prostitution” with statutory terms such as “commercial sexual activity” and cross-references to the Michigan Penal Code (e.g., MCL 750.462a). The amendments also adjust related jurisdictional and dependency provisions in the juvenile code.
Key provisions (based on provided text)
- Amends MCL 712A.2 (court jurisdiction over juveniles) and other sections (712A.13a, 712A.18k) to modify language and grounds for juvenile court jurisdiction and dependency findings.
- Adds or clarifies that a juvenile may be found to be dependent where the juvenile:
- is homeless/runaway/beyond parental control, or
- is alleged to have committed “commercial sexual activity” as defined by MCL 750.462a (the penal code provision), or
- committed a delinquent act that is the result of force, fraud, coercion, or manipulation exercised by a parent or other adult.
- Retains and lists numerous “specified juvenile violations” (serious criminal offenses) for juvenile court jurisdiction; clarifies interplay with prosecutorial charging decisions for juveniles aged 14+.
- Other amendments (to secs. 13a and 18k) are included by reference; full text not provided in the excerpt but are intended to align probate code terminology and procedures with the updated references.
Who would be affected
- Juveniles (under 18) alleged to have engaged in sex-related offenses or commercial sexual activity.
- Parents/guardians and custodial adults.
- Probate/juvenile courts, prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, child welfare agencies, and service providers who handle dependency, delinquency, and human trafficking cases.
- Potentially increases the role of child-protective and dependency procedures for juveniles involved in commercial sexual activity, especially when coercion by adults is alleged.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced March 13, 2025 (filed); read first time and referred to State Affairs April 3, 2025 (per legislative actions list).
- Text was electronically reproduced and reintroduced in the House Sept. 18, 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee that same day.
- Tie-bar with HB 5016 indicates related or companion legislation should be considered in tandem.
Potential impacts and considerations
- By substituting or cross‑referencing “commercial sexual activity” and trafficking-related language, the bill can shift some juveniles from a primarily criminal framing toward dependency/child-welfare responses when coercion or trafficking is implicated.
- May change charging, diversion, and service-referral practices for juveniles involved in sexual activity exploited by adults.
- Agencies to watch: prosecutors’ offices, juvenile courts, Department of Health & Human Services/child welfare, law enforcement, and juvenile defense/advocacy organizations.
Notes
- The provided bill excerpt is truncated; sections 13a and 18k are amended but their full text is not shown here. Review of the complete bill text (and HB 5016) is recommended for final determinations about procedural changes, service obligations, and statutory definitions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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