To repeal Michigan’s mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for certain very serious crimes committed by minors, and replace it with a system in which prosecutors could request a genuine lifetime sentence where the offense was aggravated by certain specific factors listed in the bill. If the court denies the petition, or if none is filed, minors convicted of these very serious crimes could still be sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 45 years. See this Senate Fiscal Agency memo on the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miller v Alabama ruling and its application to Michigan law.   Official Text and Analysis.

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To adopt a substitute that specifies a new sentencing regime; see Senate-passed bill.

To make the proposed repeal of mandatory life sentences for minors retroactive.

To repeal Michigan’s mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for certain very serious crimes committed by minors, and replace it with a system in which prosecutors could request a genuine lifetime sentence. If this request was not made or denied, a judge would have to impose a minimum sentence of between 25 and 40 years, and a maximum of at least 60 years. These provisions would only apply prospectively, to cases still open as of the U.S. Supreme Court's Miller v Alabama decision in June, 2012.

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that included provisions anticipating a future court ruling requiring current prisoners in this class to get a parole hearing.

To make the bill's provisions apply retroactively to current prisoners in this class.

To remove the "tie bar" linkage between this bill and Senate Bill 318.

To revise the sentencing guidelines related to Michigan's mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for certain very serious crimes committed by minors. Life without parole would no longer be automatic in these cases but prosecutors could request it. Otherwise, the minimum sentence would be 25 to 40 years, and the maximum at least 60 years. These provisions would only apply prospectively, to cases still open as of the U.S. Supreme Court's Miller v Alabama decision in June, 2012. Language in the bill would apply the new standard retroactively to the approximately 350 current prisoners in this category if future court rulings require this.