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HB 4548

Civil rights: general discrimination; discrimination because of ethnicity, including discrimination because of Jewish heritage; prohibit under the Elliot-Larsen civil rights act. Amends title & secs. 102, 103, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 301, 302, 302a, 402, 502, 504, 505, 506 & 507 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2102 et seq.).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 1 co-sponsor

Michigan expands civil rights law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity and Jewish heritage in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations.

bill electronically reproduced 06/04/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4548

Legislative bill overview

HB 4548 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, with specific inclusion of discrimination based on Jewish heritage. The bill modifies multiple sections of the existing civil rights statute to expand protected categories and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

Why is this important

The Elliott-Larsen Act is Michigan's primary civil rights law covering employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. This amendment would provide explicit legal recourse for individuals experiencing discrimination based on ethnicity or Jewish identity, potentially closing gaps in current protections and signaling legislative intent to address rising concerns about ethnic and religious discrimination.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: "Jewish heritage" as a protected category may raise questions about whether it functions as a religious or ethnic classification, potentially affecting how the law applies to discrimination cases
  • Existing coverage debate: Some argue current law already covers these protections under race or religion; supporters counter that explicit inclusion strengthens enforcement and legal certainty
  • Implementation scope: Ambiguity about whether amendments apply retroactively to pending cases or only prospectively could affect litigation strategy and outcomes

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

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