The House Judiciary Committee has advanced a hard-hitting package of bills sponsored by Judiciary Chairwoman Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) to ensure Michigan’s justice system deals decisively with murderers who committed their crimes at ages 19 and 20.

Lightner’s bills (House Bills 4506-4508) come in direct response to Michigan Supreme Court rulings that threw prosecutors across the state into chaos—forcing resentencing hearings for hundreds of dangerous offenders, and putting strict new deadlines on the people tasked with keeping violent criminals off our streets. Prosecutors made it clear: the system wasn’t built to move this fast, and without action, murderers could walk away with lighter sentences just because prosecutors didn’t have enough time to act. That’s why Lightner’s legislation doubles the timeline for prosecutors to file for life without parole—ensuring no case falls through the cracks and justice is never sacrificed for the sake of a clock.

“These are not kids. These are grown adults who made an adult decision to take a life,” Lightner said. “The Supreme Court may have gone soft, but we’re not letting Michigan become a safe haven for murderers. This bill package puts teeth back into the law and makes sure prosecutors can still seek real consequences.”

Background:
Prior to the committee vote, the bill package received compelling testimony from prosecutors and victims’ advocates across Michigan. Prosecutors from Eaton, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo counties spelled out the real-life consequences of the Supreme Court’s decisions: emboldened offenders, undermined public safety, and devastated families forced to relive their trauma. Law enforcement made it clear: the state needs tools to keep dangerous individuals off the street, and this legislation delivers. The bills were developed in close consultation with those on the front lines, ensuring Michigan stands with victims, not violent criminals.

Key provisions of the Lightner bills:

• Expands prosecutorial authority: Prosecutors get twice as much time to file for life without parole for offenders who committed murder at ages 19 or 20—180 days for prior convictions and 84 days for new cases—reflecting the seriousness of these adult crimes.
• Tougher sentencing: For those convicted at 19 or 20, the minimum sentence range jumps to 35–50 years, with the maximum term set at 80 years—to be served consecutively with other sentences. For offenders under 19, current law remains unchanged.
• Closes loopholes: Responds directly to the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling that extended leniency to murderers under 21, guaranteeing no one slips through on a technicality.

“The people I represent expect their lawmakers to stand with victims, not with violent offenders,” Lightner said. “That’s what these bills do.”

The legislation now moves to the full House for consideration.

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