Michigan Administrative Code Department - Civil Rights
Here’s an overview of the Michigan Administrative Code governing the Department of Civil Rights—specifically its administrative rules and related structure:
📘 1. Scope & Authority
The rules apply to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the constitutional body empowered to enforce civil rights under both Michigan’s Constitution and the Elliott‑Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) (law.cornell.edu).
They cover the Commission’s organization, practice, and procedure, spanning R 37.1 through R 37.31 (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us).
🏛️ 2. Key Provisions (R 37.1–R 37.31)
Some of the most significant rules in this series include:
R 37.1 – Defines the Commission’s jurisdiction, including protection in areas like employment, education, housing, and public accommodations .
R 37.2–R 37.31 – Set forth definitions, complaint procedures, hearings, orders, appeals, recordkeeping, rules adoption, electronic service, fee structures, and more (law.cornell.edu).
A complete list of rule titles is available via Cornell’s index of §§ R 37.1–R 37.31 (law.cornell.edu).
📌 3. Recent Updates & Amendments
In late 2022 and January 2023, several rules (e.g., R 37.6, R 37.7, R 37.10–R 37.12, R 37.25) were amended, and new rules (R 37.28–R 37.31) were added. These updates expanded electronic filing, remote proceedings, and deadlines (e.g., a 5-year limit on BFOQ exceptions) (council.legislature.mi.gov).
The PDF version of R 37.1–R 37.31 was last updated on May 16, 2023 (ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us).
⚖️ 4. Legal Foundation
The authority for the Commission’s rules stems from Article V § 29 of the Michigan Constitution and § 601 of ELCRA (PA 453 of 1976) (law.cornell.edu).
ELCRA is Michigan’s primary civil rights statute, prohibiting discrimination on numerous bases such as race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, weight, height, age, disability, and more—enhanced over time to include LGBTQ protections in 2023 .
🔗 5. Where to Access the Rules
Michigan LARA Admin Code portal – PDFs and HTML versions for R 37.1–R 37.31 and notices like R 37.101.
Cornell’s Legal Information Institute, Justia, and other legal databases mirror these rules—useful alternatives if the LARA site is unavailable.
✅ Summary
R 37.1–R 37.31 form the core administrative rules for how the Civil Rights Commission operates.
Recent rule changes streamline procedures with expanded use of electronic filing, remote hearings, and time limits.
These rules are grounded firmly in the Michigan Constitution and ELCRA, reflecting Michigan’s commitment to broad civil rights protections.
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