House Bill 4790 Summary

• Establishes the "Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act" allowing individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Michigan to sue the state for damages in Ingham County Circuit Court.

• Requires claimants to prove: (1) conviction and imprisonment for crime(s) not committed, (2) conviction vacated with charges dismissed or acquittal on retrial, (3) actual innocence, and (4) no perjury or evidence fabrication by claimant.

• Awards damages of $40,000 per year of incarceration, adjusted for inflation and partial years, plus economic damages, health insurance coverage for 10 years, reintegration costs, and attorney fees up to 10% of award (capped at $75,000 adjusted for inflation).

• Excludes damages for time served under concurrent sentences for other convictions and for injuries sustained while imprisoned, but does not preclude separate injury claims.

• Imposes 3-year statute of limitations from conviction vacation date (5 years for those released before act's effective date), and requires courts to seal arrest, fingerprint, and conviction records of exonerees.