2025 Senate Bill 522

Children: parental rights; grounds for termination of parental rights; include human trafficking violations.

A bill to amend 1939 PA 288, entitled “Probate code of 1939,” by amending section 19b of chapter XIIA (MCL 712A.19b), as amended by 2023 PA 295.

AI Analysis – Experimental

Senate Bills 520 strengthen Michigan’s legal framework against human trafficking, prostitution, and related offenses by increasing penalties and fines, streamlining sentencing provisions, and expanding restitution options for victims and government entities; raising penalties and reclassifying offenses involving prostitution and human trafficking—particularly those involving minors—with implementation contingent on related legislation; explicitly including human trafficking as grounds for terminating parental rights and strengthening procedural protections in child welfare cases; mandating court intervention and potential termination of parental rights in cases of child abuse involving human trafficking; and amending the Michigan Penal Code to raise the minimum age for criminal liability from 16 to 18, increase penalties for repeat offenders, create stricter felony penalties, and establish a deferred judgment program for first-time offenders that includes human trafficking awareness and treatment components.

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 4, 2025

Introduced by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-13) and four co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. John Damoose (R-37), Stephanie Chang (D-3), Michael Webber (R-9) and Mary Cavanagh (D-6)

Referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety