FAMILY CT. JURISDICTION; JUVENILES                                                   S.B. 100 (S-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 100 (Substitute S-2 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Jim Runestad

Committee:  Judiciary and Public Safety

CONTENT

The bill would amend the juvenile code to grant a family court exclusive original jurisdiction over a juvenile under 18, instead of 17, years of age.

Under the code, as a rule, the family court has exclusive original jurisdiction in proceedings concerning a juvenile under 17 years of age who has violated any municipal ordinance or State or Federal law. In the case of a juvenile who is at least 14 years old and who is charged with a specified juvenile violation, however, the family court has jurisdiction only if the prosecuting attorney files a petition in the court instead of authorizing a complaint and warrant.

Under the bill, family court jurisdiction would apply in the case of a juvenile under the age of 18, rather than 17.

The bill would take effect on October 1, 2021.

MCL 721A.2                                                          Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the State and local courts. The impact would depend on how many cases would be heard in the Family Division of Circuit Court instead of a court for adult cases. Since juvenile proceedings typically require more time to adjudicate, there could be increased resource demands on the courts, depending on how many cases remained before the family court.

Date Completed:  4-22-19                                              Fiscal Analyst:  Michael Siracuse

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.