Michigan Senate Unanimously Approves Enhanced Penalties for Human Trafficking

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan package of bills Wednesday designed to significantly increase criminal penalties for human trafficking, including provisions that would allow for life sentences for individuals convicted of recruiting or transporting minors for commercial sexual activity.

The three-bill package, sponsored by State Senators John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) and Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township), passed with a 34-0 vote. Under the proposed legislation, the maximum penalty for trafficking a minor would escalate from the current 20-year cap to life in prison. Additionally, the bills propose increasing the maximum prison term for harboring an individual for forced labor from 10 years to 20 years.

“I know it can’t eliminate human trafficking, but I want there to be a significant number of people who two years from now will not be trafficked that day when they wake up because of our bills,” Senator Damoose told reporters following the vote. He noted that while he often disagrees with Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, his office collaborated closely with hers on this legislation.

The legislation also targets property owners who facilitate these crimes. One measure would increase the penalty for individuals repeatedly found guilty of allowing their property to be used for prostitution, raising the maximum sentence from two years to five years.

According to Attorney General Nessel’s office, Michigan ranked among the top states for trafficking reports in 2024. The National Human Trafficking Hotline received 764 reports involving Michigan, identifying 340 specific cases and 585 victims. “Human trafficking is pervasive, and one of the most important ways we can combat it is to enact meaningful legislation,” Nessel stated regarding the package.

Senator Shink emphasized the necessity of the reforms in a statement, asserting that ensuring safety for survivors and punishing traffickers are crucial for public safety. Despite the unanimous support in the Democratic-controlled Senate, the bills must now move to the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. Senator Damoose indicated he has received no assurances that the House will take up the proposals, though he contended that combating human trafficking should be a unifying effort.

Legislative Implications

The unanimous passage of these bills highlights a significant legislative push to align Michigan’s sentencing guidelines with the severity of human trafficking crimes, particularly those involving minors. By elevating the maximum penalty to life imprisonment, lawmakers are providing prosecutors with stricter tools to dismantle trafficking networks. However, the bills face a procedural hurdle in the divided Legislature; without approval from the GOP-controlled House, the measures cannot reach Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk to be signed into law.