2015 Senate Bill 291 / 2016 Public Act 343

Authorize wrongful imprisonment compensation

Introduced in the Senate

April 23, 2015

Introduced by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To authorize payment by the state of civil damages to a person wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he or she did not commit. The damages would be $60,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, plus “economic damages” including lost wages, plus reasonable attorney fees.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

July 1, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 29, 2015

Reported without amendment

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

June 9, 2016

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To remove "tie bars" that require several other bills to become law for this one to become law.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To authorize payment by the state of civil damages to a person wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he or she did not commit. The damages would be $50,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, plus “economic damages” including lost wages, plus reasonable attorney fees.

Received in the House

July 13, 2016

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

Sept. 20, 2016

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 7, 2016

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-6)

To establish that an individual could also sue in federal court and collect damages against officials involved in the wrongful conviction.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 104 to 2 (details)

To authorize payment by the state of civil damages to a person wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he or she did not commit. The damages would be $50,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, plus “economic damages” including lost wages, plus reasonable attorney fees.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 8, 2016

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 21, 2016