Michigan House Bill HB4984

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/18/25
• Refer: 9/18/25

Caption

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

Impact

One significant impact of HB 4984 is the clearer delineation of how court records related to eviction proceedings are handled. By maintaining records as nonpublic until a judgment is entered, this bill aims to decrease the potential stigmatization of tenants who may be undergoing eviction processes. Such privacy provisions highlight a growing awareness of tenant rights within the legal framework, providing individuals with greater protections against the public disclosure of their legal troubles.

Summary

House Bill 4984 seeks to amend the Revised Judicature Act by adding a new section that addresses the public and nonpublic status of court records related to eviction proceedings. The bill mandates that records pertaining to summary proceedings for the termination of an individual's tenancy be treated as nonpublic until a judgment for possession has been rendered. This is intended to protect tenant privacy during the early stages of eviction cases. Once a judgment is entered, these records will become public, but for a limited period of time, after which they will revert to nonpublic status unless associated with certain serious infractions.

Contention

Notably, the bill also stipulates that if a judgment is based on severe issues such as illegal substance activities, injuries, or threats to others, the records remain public for an extended period. This aspect has been a point of contention as it seeks a balance between tenant privacy and public safety. Critics may argue that extending access to certain records could disproportionately affect vulnerable tenants, resulting in negative repercussions for those involved in the court system due to circumstances beyond their control.