Michigan’s homeless bill of rights is a boon for litigators
Under House Bill 4919, relief would come via trial lawyer
Michigan House Bill 4919 presents itself as the “homeless bill of rights.” But homeless people who had their rights violated would not find relief by calling 911, but by calling a lawyer.
The bill would grant certain rights to homeless people. Access to emergency medical care, to move freely, to confidentiality, and to freedom from employment discrimination among them. The picture below offers a longer list.
People who violate the homeless bill of rights would not face criminal charges. They would open themselves to civil liability.
Read it for yourself: House Bill 4919
As the House Fiscal Agency analysis reads:
A prevailing plaintiff in a civil action that alleges a violation of the act would be eligible to receive appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief, actual damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.
House Bill 4919 was submitted on July 18 by State Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, and referred to the committee on economic development and small business.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.