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HB 6113

State agencies (existing): generally; certain demographic data of individuals; require state agencies and local units of government to collect. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 27 co-sponsors

HB 6113 requires adding three subcategories to Black/African/Caribbean demographic data (enslaved-descendant, non-enslaved-descendant, unknown) for state and local data collection,

bill electronically reproduced 06/18/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6113

Overview

HB 6113 would require Michigan state agencies and local units of government to collect additional subcategories of demographic information for individuals when demographic data are collected for any purpose. The bill creates a new framework for classifying Black/African/Caribbean individuals into more granular descendant-based categories and sets effective dates for state agencies (April 1, 2027) and local units of government (January 1, 2027).

Main purpose and intent

  • To collect more granular demographic data from individuals, specifically refining the Black/African/Caribbean category into subcategories related to enslaved ancestry and immigrant background.
  • To formalize a standardized data collection approach across state agencies and local governments with defined terms and categories.

Key provisions and changes

  • When a state agency or local unit of government collects demographic information, they must include subcategories for the Black, African, or Caribbean category:
    • (a) Descendant of an individual who was enslaved in the United States (American Freedmen).
    • (b) Not a descendant of an individual who was enslaved in the United States (American Freedmen).
    • (c) Descendant status is unknown or the individual chooses not to identify.
  • Effective dates:
    • State agencies: applies beginning April 1, 2027.
    • Local units of government: applies beginning January 1, 2027.
  • Defined terms, including:
    • "African" as someone who immigrated directly from Africa or is a descendant of someone who immigrated from Africa, and who does not have an ancestor enslaved in the United States.
    • "Caribbean" as someone who immigrated from a Caribbean country or is a descendant of someone who did, and who does not have an ancestor enslaved in the United States.
    • "Descendant of an individual who was enslaved in United States, American Freedmen" as someone with one or more ancestors who were enslaved in the United States.
    • "Local unit of government" includes counties, cities, villages, townships, or combinations thereof, and entities created by these units.
    • "State agency" includes any state department, board, commission, office, agency, or other unit of state government.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies in Michigan would be required to implement these subcategories starting April 1, 2027.
  • Local units of government (counties, cities, villages, townships, or their sub-entities) would be required to implement the subcategories starting January 1, 2027.
  • Data collection practices across relevant public sector entities would be impacted whenever demographic information is gathered.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Implementation timeline:
    • January 1, 2027: Local units of government must begin applying the new subcategories.
    • April 1, 2027: State agencies must begin applying the new subcategories.
  • The bill does not specify any penalties, funding, or administrative procedures for how the data must be stored, used, or protected beyond requiring the collection of the specified subcategories.
  • The text does not address how this data may be used for policy-making, reporting, or compliance, nor does it specify data privacy protections or limits on use.

Potential implications

  • Data granularity: The enhanced classification could improve visibility into descendant status related to enslaved ancestry, though it raises questions about privacy, data stewardship, and potential misuse.
  • Privacy and civil rights considerations: Collecting more granular ancestry data may necessitate robust privacy protections, data minimization, and clear use limitations to prevent discrimination or stigmatization.
  • Administrative burden: Local and state entities would need to update data collection forms, databases, and reporting processes to accommodate the new subcategories.

Summary

HB 6113 mandates that, beginning in 2027 for local governments and 2027 for state agencies, any demographic data collection that includes the Black/African/Caribbean category must be expanded to include three subcategories: enslaved-descendant (American Freedmen), non-enslaved-descendant, and unknown/not identifying. It defines key terms and sets specific effective dates, but does not outline implementation details, privacy safeguards, or use restrictions within the bill text provided.

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

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