Bill > HB6259

This bill modifies Michigan's sentencing guidelines by increasing the severity of penalties for second-degree and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Specifically, the legislation reclassifies both offenses from lower felony categories (classes C and B, respectively) up to a Class A felony, which is the state's most serious felony tier, and extends the maximum statutory sentence for both crimes from 15 years to life imprisonment. In the context of criminal sentencing, these guidelines help judges determine appropriate prison terms based on the crime's classification—ranging from Class A to Class H, with Class A carrying the harshest penalties—while the statutory maximum defines the absolute upper limit of prison time a judge can impose. Additionally, the bill is tie-barred to two other legislative bills, meaning it cannot officially take effect unless those related measures are also enacted into law.