2025 House Bill 5010

Criminal procedure: defenses; affirmative defense that individual committed a crime because the individual was a victim of human trafficking; establish.

A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” (MCL 760.1 to 777.69) by adding section 21e to chapter VIII.

Official record

AI Analysis – Experimental

House Bills 5009–5028 form a comprehensive Michigan legislative package aimed at combating human trafficking, strengthening victim protections, and modernizing criminal, juvenile, and public health statutes. The bills expand expungement and affirmative defense rights for trafficking survivors, update terminology to replace “prostitution” with “commercial sexual activity,” broaden DNA collection and child protection measures, and enhance public awareness, oversight, and enforcement mechanisms across multiple state codes. Together, they create a unified framework to modernize justice procedures, protect vulnerable populations, and align Michigan law with contemporary trafficking prevention and rehabilitation standards.

Introduced in the House

Sept. 18, 2025

Introduced by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-39) and 18 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Kelly Breen (D-21), Angela Witwer (D-76), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75), Jason Morgan (D-23), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Natalie Price (D-6), Stephanie Young (D-16), Jason Hoskins (D-18), Regina Weiss (D-5), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), John Fitzgerald (D-83), Jennifer Conlin (D-48), Denise Mentzer (D-61), Donavan McKinney (D-11), Helena Scott (D-8), Amos O’Neal (D-94), Stephen Wooden (D-81) and Matt Longjohn (D-40)

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary