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HB 4984

Civil procedure: other; sealing court records of evictions; provide for. Amends 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.101 - 600.9947) by adding sec. 5755.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Conlin and 15 co-sponsors

Michigan bill would allow sealing eviction court records, restricting public access to eviction history and potentially improving housing prospects for tenants with prior evictions.

bill electronically reproduced 09/18/2025
#civilprocedure:evictions #civilprocedure:other
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Bill Summary · HB 4984

Legislative bill overview

HB 4984 proposes amending Michigan's civil procedure code to allow court records of eviction cases to be sealed under certain circumstances. This would restrict public access to eviction documents that currently remain part of the permanent public record, creating a mechanism for affected individuals to remove or conceal their eviction history from public view.

Why is this important

Eviction records significantly impact housing access, employment, and credit opportunities for tenants. Sealing these records could help individuals overcome housing discrimination and barriers to future rentals, which currently persist even after evictions are resolved or dismissed. Conversely, landlords and property managers rely on eviction records to assess tenant risk, making sealed records a point of tension between tenant protection and property owner interests.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord access and screening: Property managers and landlords argue they need full eviction history to make informed leasing decisions and protect their investments, while sealing records removes this information source
  • Scope and timing: Unclear whether all evictions qualify for sealing, or only certain outcomes (dismissed cases, resolved disputes); when individuals can petition for sealing matters significantly
  • Public record transparency: Sealing eviction records reduces public access to civil court proceedings, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the judicial system

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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