A law signed May 2 by Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus eliminated the state’s statute of limitations in cases of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The law also increased both the statute of limitations in cases of attempted murder, manslaughter and first-degree home invasion and the statute involving DNA evidence from six to 10 years.
The legislation was introduced last year by state Sen. Shirley Johnson, R-Royal Oak.
Johnson also introduced legislation Thursday that could allow victims of sexual assaults to receive free forensic and medical examinations.
The bill would allow such examinations to be paid for through Michigan’s Crime Victims Compensation Fund. The cost of the procedures usually exceeds $800 per person.
The examinations are performed both to ensure the patients’ well-being and to collect evidence before it deteriorates.
Telemarketing measures approved
Consumers may soon be able to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive, thanks to a package of bills approved by a state House committee Wednesday.
The package includes five bills, which would create a “do not call” list, require solicitors to include a telephone number to return calls and make violations of the Home Solicitation Sales Act a violation of the Michigan Consumers Protection Act.
The bills must now go before the full House for consideration.
Plan could expand state DNA database
The state Senate unanimously approved legislation May 3 that would require the Michigan State Police to store DNA profiles from convicted felons and individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor assaults.
Under the current law, the state laboratory only keeps DNA profiles from individuals convicted of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.
The bill must now go before the state House for consideration.
Bill calls for fines, jail for those who lead police chases
Individuals who lead police on dangerous chases could face mandatory fines and jail time if legislation introduced by state Rep. Gary Woronchak, R-Dearborn, on May 1 finds its way to the governor’s pen.
The proposal would create a mandatory minimum $200 fine for those convicted of fleeing and eluding police and a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence for first-time offenders in addition to other sentencing.
Woronchak wrote his bill in response to the February death of an 8-year-old Garden City boy in a car accident caused by a vehicle being chased by Canton Township Police.
