LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 30, 2026) — This week, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation championed by Sens. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) and John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) to tackle the inhumane and illegal activities of human trafficking in Michigan. Passed with unanimous support, this bill package would increase punishments for human trafficking violators while safeguarding the youngest survivors of sex-based trafficking crimes.
-
Increase penalties for human trafficking violations involving minors to up to life in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine;
-
Increase penalties for human trafficking violations involving kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, or death to up to life in prison and a maximum $50,000 fine;
-
Increase all other human trafficking violations to up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000;
-
And increase maximum terms of imprisonment and fines for misdemeanor and felony penalties on facilitating prostitution.
“Everyone is entitled to dignity — and victims of human trafficking need us to fight tooth and nail for them,” said Sen. Shink. “I am happy to work across the aisle to prevent and protect against human trafficking. Ensuring safety for survivors, punishing traffickers, and preventing these crimes are all crucial to the safety of Michiganders.”
“We must strengthen our tools for [human trafficking] prevention and increased accountability — which is what we believe the Senate bills will do. We will hold traffickers accountable, showing victims and survivors that they can trust coming forward because their traffickers will be punished,” said Melissa Palepu, an Assistant Attorney General with the state and Chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, in testimony at an October hearing of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee.
This legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.