Senate Bill 424 Summary

• Adds sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as protected classes under Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, extending protections to discrimination based on these characteristics in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and real estate transactions.

• Defines "sexual orientation" as orientation toward heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, including history of such orientation or identification with such orientation; defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity or expression regardless of assigned sex at birth.

• Prohibits discrimination in all covered areas including employment decisions, labor organization membership, educational institutions, public accommodations, real estate transactions, and financing for real property based on the newly protected characteristics.

• Applies protections retroactively to certain sex and familial status discrimination cases occurring before specified effective dates (July 18, 1980 for sex harassment; June 29, 1992 for familial status).

• Takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.