Bill > SB0374

This bill amends Michigan law to provide new provisions for sealing and expunging court records related to summary eviction proceedings. The bill allows courts to seal eviction records in several specific circumstances, such as when a property was sold after foreclosure, when emergency rental assistance was received, or when the eviction was filed during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Courts can seal records if the tenant vacated before proceedings were filed, fulfilled the judgment terms, or owed less than $900 in rent. The bill mandates automatic expungement of these records three years after a final possession judgment. Importantly, sealed records can be released for scholarly, educational, journalistic, or governmental purposes, but with strict confidentiality requirements that protect the tenant's personal information. The bill also creates a legal remedy for tenants if a housing provider uses a sealed record to take adverse action against them, allowing the tenant to sue for damages up to $500, attorney fees, and potential equitable relief. This legislation aims to reduce the long-term negative consequences of eviction records on tenants' future housing opportunities while maintaining a balanced approach to information access.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0374