Civil procedure: evictions; court records of summary proceedings; provide for the sealing and expungement of. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 5755.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's eviction laws to protect tenant privacy by allowing courts to seal and eventually expunge court records related to eviction proceedings. Under the new rules, records are automatically sealed until a landlord wins a judgment for possession, after which they may be sealed if specific conditions are met, such as the tenant receiving emergency rental assistance, the case involving a small rent amount, or the tenant having fulfilled their court order. The legislation also establishes a process for researchers to access sealed records under strict confidentiality agreements and creates a legal remedy for prospective tenants who are denied housing based on knowledge of sealed eviction records.
In committee May 21, 2024
1 co-sponsor