For Immediate Release
Oct. 16, 2019
Contact:
Alex Rossman
(517) 487-5436
arossman@mlpp.org
Bipartisan compromise to benefit Michigan kids now heads to Gov. Whitmer for her signature
LANSING–The Raise the Age MI Coalition applauds the Michigan State Legislature for passing a bipartisan and bicameral bill package that raises the upper age of juvenile court jurisdiction in Michigan to 18. After years of work over several legislative sessions by advocates and policymakers, this important policy change will improve public safety, reduce recidivism and cut adult incarceration costs by improving outcomes for Michigan youth whose mistakes have brought them in contact with the justice system.
Currently in Michigan, 17-year-olds are automatically charged and treated as adults for any offense. The state is one of only four in the country to still have such a policy. In Michigan, about two-thirds of 17-year-olds who are convicted as adults have committed nonviolent offenses. National research shows that youth routed into the adult system often face sexual and physical assault, and their incarceration in adult prison increases their risk of recidivism. While 17-year-olds in Michigan are deemed to be too young to serve on a jury, vote, or join the military, but as the law stands now, they can be prosecuted as adults—even for the most minor infractions, coalition members noted.
Different versions of the Raise the Age legislation were passed in the House and Senate last spring, and after many months of negotiation, a finalized bill package was approved by both chambers this week. The legislation allows 17-year-olds to participate in age-appropriate treatment offered in the juvenile justice system, requires parental notification at the time of arrest, and provides funding to juvenile courts for implementing the policy change. It now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her signature. Once enacted, the law would take effect on October 1, 2021.
The legislation sent to Gov. Whitmer increases protections for any youth under 18 who would remain in adult jails by requiring they are housed separately from adult inmates. It would also prohibit youth and adult inmates from being transported together in the same vehicle. Important concerns remain for Michigan youth in the adult justice system and coalition members hope the Legislature will continue to work to resolve them in the months ahead. Our work is not done.
The Raise the Age MI Coalition thanks the elected officials, partners, advocates, and justice stakeholders across the state who committed themselves to ensure that Michigan youth have a brighter future. By raising the age, Michigan will improve public safety, save taxpayer dollars, and provide better outcomes for youth.
About Raise the Age: The campaign to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to 18 in Michigan was supported by a coalition of organizations and individuals, including The Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Michigan League for Public Policy, the Michigan Catholic Conference, the ACLU of Michigan and Safe & Just Michigan.
For more information, go to https://www.raisetheagemi.org/
Quotes:
“This is a huge win for Michigan kids and families, our local communities and economies, our national reputation, and our society as a whole. We are so grateful to all the advocates and policymakers past and present who have made this happen, especially Senate Majority Leader Shirkey, Speaker Chatfield, House Judiciary Chair Filler, and Senate Judiciary Chair Lucido and all the bill sponsors. We are grateful to the countless youth and parents who shared their stories and perspectives. And we are grateful to the representatives from local government, law enforcement, the court system and more for being willing to work on a compromise that adequately meets the needs of Michigan kids. We hope the governor will continue this wave of bipartisan, common-sense support and quickly sign the Raise the Age bills into law.” – Gilda Z. Jacobs, President and CEO, Michigan League for Public Policy
“We are grateful that the legislature put in the hard work of finding a solution to get Raise the Age passed in Michigan. It has taken many years of hard work and this policy change is well overdue. We look forward to the Governor’s signing this package into law to help get children the services they need to make them productive members of society.” – Tom Hickson, Michigan Catholic Conference.
“Thanks to everyone who supported the campaign to Raise the Age, from the courageous elected officials who advanced the legislation, to our coalition partners who worked tirelessly to see this through. This is a significant step toward creating a fair and effective justice system for Michigan’s children, youth and young adults.” – Mary King, Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency
“Raise the Age is an issue everyone should be able to agree on, and I am so happy to see the Legislature pass it today. Today’s law won’t change things for me, but it will make such a difference for countless other teenagers and families down the road. I got in legal trouble as a teenager, and I am still facing challenges from it today. It affected my ability to find and keep a job and made it more difficult to pursue a college degree. Raise the Age allows teens to make mistakes and learn from them, not continue to pay for them, and I am glad to see the law finally changing to do that.” -Briana Moore, RTA advocate and Michigan resident who was prosecuted as an adult at 17
###
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
