HB 5804 Summary

• Adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected categories under Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act alongside existing protections for religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, and marital status.

• Extends discrimination protections to employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, educational facilities, real estate transactions, and financial assistance related to real property.

• Defines "sexual orientation" as having an orientation for heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, or having a history of such orientation or being identified with such orientation.

• Defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity or expression whether or not associated with an individual's assigned sex at birth.

• Applies protections across employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, educational institutions, real estate professionals, lenders, and public accommodation providers, with limited exceptions for religious institutions and family employment.