MI HB5238

Requires district courts to maintain nonpublic records in eviction summary proceedings until a judgment for possession is entered for the plaintiff.

Permits courts to seal eviction records after judgment if the defendant fulfills judgment terms, one year has passed since proceedings commenced, the tenancy has ended, or records involve foreclosure-related evictions or proceedings filed during the COVID-19 emergency.

Prohibits sealing records if the defendant received three or more writs of restitution/eviction within three years, or if judgment was based on drug activity, health hazards, threats of physical injury, or forcible possession.

Allows defendants to petition for record sealing 10 or more years after judgment in otherwise-unsealeble cases if the court finds it is in the interests of justice.

Automatically seals eviction records seven years after judgment becomes final, and permits limited disclosure to researchers under court-approved data use agreements that protect tenant confidentiality.