MI SB0374

Court records in eviction (summary) proceedings must be automatically sealed upon filing and remain sealed until a judgment for possession is entered in favor of the landlord

Courts may order eviction records sealed after a possession judgment if: the case involved foreclosure with proper conditions, emergency rental assistance was received, parties agreed, defendant fulfilled judgment terms, or unpaid rent was less than $900

Eviction records must be automatically expunged 3 years after a possession judgment becomes final

Housing providers who intentionally use sealed eviction records to deny or impose unfavorable terms on a prospective tenant face civil liability of actual damages or $500 (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees and equitable relief

Sealed records may be released for scholarly, educational, journalistic, or governmental purposes under strict data use agreements, and parties to the case or their attorneys may access sealed records upon request with proof of identity