Downriver Today

Victims of violent crimes will no longer have to relive their past at parole hearings after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4562 and 4563.

The bills will modify the Michigan Corrections Code to permit the Michigan Parole Board to reject parole for violent inmates "for up to five years after a majority vote and written report," a recent press release issued on the governor's office website said.

"This legislation is (a) smart policy that all of us can agree on," Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65) said in the release. "Working across the aisle with State Rep. Witwer is evidence that when working together for the health and safety of our constituents in mind, the legislature can be a force to be reckoned with. I am thankful that Prosecutor (Doug) Lloyd brought this common-sense policy to us to advocate and fight for survivors of heinous crimes, like Randy Gilbert and others that have had to live and relive the details of their trauma year after year with the parole board."

Lightner introduced HB 4562, which permits the parole board to examine inmates who have been rejected from parole within five years after being denied parole and adjust various reporting rules, the release said.

Rep. Angela Witwer (D-71) co-sponsored HB 4563, which calls for all approvals from the parole board to be through a majority vote, unless otherwise specified by a parole board code, the release said.

"I am relieved to see these bills signed into law, and I hope that victims and their families can rest more easily," Witwer said in the release. "I grew up down the road from one of Don Miller's victims. Gov. Whitmer did the right thing by signing these bills before he was once again up for parole and before the families were revictimized and had to testify."

Whitmer added that ensuring the safety of the community from violent criminals was a chief priority, and she has modified next year's budget to allow for cities to retain and recruit law enforcement personnel as well as first responders, the release said.