MI HB5798

Expands the definition of "victim" in Michigan's crime victim rights act to allow more family members to submit impact statements, including spouses, adult children, parents, guardians, siblings, and grandparents of deceased victims or incapacitated victims.

Allows victims who are physically or emotionally unable to exercise their rights to designate a representative 18 years of age or older (who is not the defendant or incarcerated) to act on their behalf.

Applies expanded victim definitions to three categories of offenses: crimes punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment, designated juvenile offenses, and serious misdemeanors including assault, stalking, DUI-related accidents, and firearm violations.

Restricts victim status eligibility by excluding individuals charged with related offenses arising from the same transaction and incarcerated individuals (except for written sentencing statements).

Takes effect 90 days after enactment on December 17, 2018, with an effective date of March 17, 2019.