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Senate passes bill expanding indigent defense for youth, 25-12
Summary
The Michigan Senate voted 25-12 to pass Senate Bill 81, which adds a voting member with youth defense experience to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission and permits the commission to set standards for determining indigency for children in delinquency proceedings.
The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 81 on final passage, approving changes intended to expand legal representation for children accused of serious crimes by a 25-12 vote, the secretary announced.
The measure adds a voting member to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission who has experience defending youth in delinquency proceedings and allows the commission to establish standards and procedures for determining indigency for children, supporters said.
Senator Schenck, speaking in favor of the bill, said the changes "ensure that children accused of serious crimes have access to competent legal representation regardless of their financial status and ensures that their constitutional rights are protected." He added, "This can make the difference between a bright future for young people or a life of struggle and incarceration."
Senator Runstead raised concerns about how indigency would be determined and about the bill's cost, saying, "if you don't count the parents' income, virtually every child is indigent." Runstead also warned the fiscal impact could be substantial, noting the bill "is gonna cost, upwards, over 850,000 for hiring 6 FTEs." Those concerns were recorded during debate but did not change the final tally.
On the vote, the secretary reported "25 aye votes, 12 no votes, and 0 excused," after the senate proceeded without further discussion.
The bill was advanced on the floor from the committee of the whole and placed on the order of final passage before the vote. The measure now moves to the next steps in the legislative process.
No amendments to the bill were pending at the time of final passage, and the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety had reported the measure with a committee substitute earlier in the session.
