HB 4197 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing: homeless; homeless bill of rights; provide for. Creates new act.

HB 4197 establishes Michigan's "Bill of Rights for the Homeless," creating new legal protections for individuals experiencing homelessness. It guarantees rights including free movement in public spaces, equal access to services and employment (without discrimination over lack of permanent address), emergency medical care, voting access, and privacy protections for records shared with shelters. The bill also allows local governments to create designated "safe outdoor spaces" for encampments and provides legal remedies for violations, such as court orders or damages. It directly affects homeless residents across Michigan, particularly youth aged 13-23, by prohibiting discrimination in public services, housing, and schools. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025 Last action Mar 12, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Emily Dievendorf
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors