Mich. Comp. Laws § § 37.2605
Findings of fact and conclusions of law; cease and desist order; amendment of pleadings; findings and order based thereon; copies of order; scope of action ordered; certification of violation to licensing or contracting agency.
Operative Text
Sec. 605. (1) If the commission, after a hearing on a charge issued by the department, determines that the respondent has violated this act or the handicappers' civil rights act, Act No. 220 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 37.1101 to 37.1607 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the commission shall state its findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall issue a final order requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the discriminatory practice and to take such other action as it deems necessary to secure equal enjoyment and protection of civil rights. If at a hearing on a charge, a pattern or practice of discrimination prohibited by this act or Act No. 220 of the Public Acts of 1976 appears in the evidence, the commission may, upon its own motion or on motion of the claimant, amend the pleadings to conform to the proofs, make findings, and issue an order based on those findings. A copy of the order shall be delivered to the respondent, the claimant, the attorney general, and to other public officers and persons as the commission deems proper. (2) Action ordered under this section may include, but is not limited to: (a) Hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading of employees with or without back pay. (b) Admission or restoration of individuals to labor organization membership, admission to or participation in a guidance program, apprenticeship training program, on the job training program, or other occupational training or retraining program, with the utilization of objective criteria in the admission of persons to those programs. (c) Admission of persons to a public accommodation or an educational institution. (d) Sale, exchange, lease, rental, assignment, or sublease of real property to a person. (e) Extension to all persons of the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the respondent. (f) Reporting as to the manner of compliance. (g) Requiring the posting of notices in a conspicuous place which the commission may publish or cause to be published setting forth requirements for compliance with civil rights law or other relevant information which the commission determines necessary to explain those laws. (h) Payment to an injured party of profits obtained by the respondent through a violation of section 506 of this act or of Act No. 220 of the Public Acts of 1976. (i) Payment to the complainant of damages for an injury or loss caused by a violation of this act, including a reasonable attorney's fee. (j) Payment to the complainant of all or a portion of the costs of maintaining the action before the commission, including reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees, if the commission determines that award to be appropriate. (k) Payment of a civil fine for a violation of article 5 of this act, an amount directly related to the cost to the state for enforcing this statute not to exceed: (i) $10,000.00 for the first violation. (ii) $25,000.00 for the second violation within a 5-year period. (iii) $50,000.00 for 2 or more violations within a 7-year period. (l) Other relief the commission deems appropriate. (3) In the case of a respondent operating by virtue of a license issued by the state, a political subdivision, or an agency of the state or political subdivision, if the commission, upon notice and hearing, determines that the respondent has violated this act and that the violation was authorized, requested, commanded, performed, or knowingly permitted by the board of directors of the respondent or by an officer or executive agent acting within the scope of his or her employment, the commission shall so certify to the licensing agency. Unless the commission's finding is reversed in the course of judicial review, the finding of the commission may be grounds for revocation of the respondent's license. (4) In the case of a respondent who violates this act in the course of performing under a contract or subcontract with the state, a political subdivision, or an agency of the state or political subdivision, where the violation was authorized, requested, commanded, performed, or knowingly permitted by the board of directors of the respondent or by an officer or executive agent acting within the scope of his or her employment, the commission shall so certify to the contracting agency. Unless the commission's finding is reversed in the course of judicial review, the finding is binding on the contracting agency.
Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCL § 37.2101 et seq. § 37.2605) establishes what happens after a formal hearing finds that a respondent has violated the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act or the Handicappers' Civil Rights Act. Upon such a finding, the Commission issues a cease-and-desist order and may require a wide range of remedies, including payment of damages, attorney's fees, and civil fines up to $50,000 for repeated violations. The Commission may also certify violations to licensing or contracting agencies, which can trigger license revocation or consequences for state contracts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to a complaint under MCL § 37.2101 et seq. § 37.2605 should understand that a Commission finding of discrimination can result in orders to sell, lease, or otherwise make real property available on equal terms, as well as monetary remedies including damages, attorney's fees, and civil fines. Compliant operators generally maintain nondiscriminatory policies, train staff on civil rights obligations, and post required notices in conspicuous locations as the Commission may direct. Those operating under a state or local license should be aware that a sustained finding of discrimination can be certified to the relevant licensing agency and may serve as grounds for license revocation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under MCL § 37.2101 et seq. § 37.2605, individuals who have experienced housing discrimination may pursue a complaint through the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, which can lead to a formal Commission hearing. If a violation is found, the Commission has broad authority to order remedies including the sale or rental of real property, payment of actual damages, and reimbursement of attorney's fees and litigation costs. Tenants and housing applicants who believe their civil rights have been violated may consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the complaint process and available remedies under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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