Michigan, United States — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed eight new bills into law on Monday, with the goal of increasing affordable housing, combating sex trafficking, growing the economy, and more.
Senate Bills 205, 206, and 207 seek to make it easier to obtain housing, ultimately lowering the number of unhoused Michigan residents. These bills prohibit landlords from rejecting tenants based on their income. It also lowers the barriers to finding housing.
State Senators Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) sponsored the package.
The administration expects the bills to benefit approximately 34,290 Michigan families.
Senate Bills 515, 516, and 517 improved the process of investigating and using evidence in sex trafficking cases. The bills make it easier for a survivor to testify while also allowing a suspect’s previous criminal activity to be used as evidence. Legislators hope that the bills will make survivors feel more comfortable seeking justice.
The bills were sponsored by State Senators Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township), and Stepanie Chang (D-Detroit).
Senate Bill 248, sponsored by state Senator Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway), allows anyone under the age of 18 to testify with a courtroom support dog. Previously, only those aged 16 and under were allowed.
Finally, Senate Bill 237 seeks to boost Michigan’s economy by encouraging businesses to invest in data center equipment. This tax break may encourage more data centers to establish themselves in the state. It was sponsored by state Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores).
“I am committed to growing access to affordable housing so every Michigander can raise their family in a vibrant community,” the governor said. “That is why I am proud to sign these commonsense bills that will increase affordable housing options and protect Michigan residents from housing discrimination.
I’m also pleased to sign additional bipartisan legislation that will protect survivors in court and help grow Michigan’s data processing industry. I’ll work with anyone to ensure that Michigan is the first place people think of when they want to live, work, and raise their families.”
Gov. Whitmer has now signed 1,431 bills since taking office, a record, according to her office.