Michigan SB81: Courts: other; Michigan indigent defense commission act; expand duties to include indigent defense of youth. Amends title & secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21 & 23 of 2013 PA 93 (MCL 780.983 et seq.) & adds sec. 14.

What the bill says

An act to amend 2013 PA 93, entitled “An act to create the Michigan indigent defense commission and to provide for its powers and duties; to provide indigent defendants in criminal cases with effective assistance of counsel; to provide standards for the appointment of legal counsel; to provide for and limit certain causes of action…

From the chaptered text, July 24, 2026:

AN ACT to amend 2013 PA 93, entitled “An act to create the Michigan indigent defense commission and to provide for its powers and duties; to provide indigent defendants in criminal cases with effective assistance of counsel; to provide standards for the appointment of legal counsel; to provide for and limit certain causes of action; and to provide for certain appropriations and grants,” by amending the title and sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, and 23 (MCL 780.983, 780.985, 780.987, 780.989, 780.991, 780.993, 780.995, 780.997, 780.1001, and 780.1003), section 3 as amended by 2019 PA 108, sections 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 as amended by 2018 PA 214, and section 7 as amended by 2018 PA 443, and by adding section 14. The People of the State of Michigan enact: TITLE to create the Michigan indigent defense commission and to provide for its powers and duties; to provide certain indigent defendants in criminal and juvenile cases with effective assistance of counsel; to provide standards for the appointment of legal counsel; to provide for and limit certain causes of action; and to provide for certain appropriations and grants. Sec. 3. As used in this act: (a) “Adult” means either of the following: (i) An individual who is 18 years of age or older. (ii) An …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Shink, Sue (D, 14) · primary sponsor
• Chang, Stephanie (D, 3)
• McMorrow, Mallory (D, 8)
• Bayer, Rosemary (D, 13)
• Cavanagh, Mary (D, 6)
• Geiss, Erika (D, 1)
• Klinefelt, Veronica (D, 11)
• Wojno, Paul (D, 10)
• Anthony, Sarah (D, 21)

Latest actions

1. July 29, 2026: ASSIGNED PA 0070'26 WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
2. July 24, 2026: FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE 7/24/2026 10:54 AM
3. July 21, 2026: APPROVED BY GOVERNOR 7/21/2026 12:58 PM
4. July 14, 2026: PRESENTED TO GOVERNOR 7/14/2026 10:38 AM
5. July 3, 2026: ORDERED ENROLLED
6. July 3, 2026: FULL TITLE AGREED TO
7. July 3, 2026: GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT
8. July 3, 2026: ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL # 215 YEAS 23 NAYS 13 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0
9. July 3, 2026: HOUSE SUBSTITUTE (H-1) CONCURRED IN
10. July 3, 2026: RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION

Votes

• Roll Call #215 (July 3, 2026): 23 yea, 13 nay, passed
• passed; given immediate effect (July 3, 2026): 95 yea, 13 nay, passed
• PASSED (March 18, 2025): 25 yea, 12 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB81?

SB81 is a bill in the Michigan Legislature (103rd Legislature): Courts: other; Michigan indigent defense commission act; expand duties to include indigent defense of youth. Amends title & secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21 & 23 of 2013 PA 93 (MCL 780.983 et seq.) & adds sec. 14.

What does SB81 do?

In its own words: An act to amend 2013 PA 93, entitled “An act to create the Michigan indigent defense commission and to provide for its powers and duties; to provide indigent defendants in criminal cases with effective assistance of counsel; to provide standards for the appointment of legal counsel; to provide for and limit certain causes of action…

What is the status of SB81?

Signed into law as of July 29, 2026. Latest action: ASSIGNED PA 0070'26 WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT (July 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB81?

Shink, Sue (D, 14), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB81?

On the Michigan Legislature website: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0081