We have a very small window to get pro-civil rights laws passed in the Michigan Legislature before the end of the year. Our success is critical to ensuring we have a firewall of protection from the threats a second Trump administration brings to bear on the civil rights and liberties of the people of Michigan.
So, we MUST do everything we can now to protect the rights of all Michiganders.
Imminent Threats to Our Democracy
There is no denying the imminent threats to our democracy, rights, and freedoms as we face a second Trump administration. The peril is especially acute for those targeted by Trump’s rhetoric on the campaign trail and the unconstitutional actions pursued during his first administration.
As a multi-issue organization with litigation, political advocacy, strategic communications, and people power in our arsenal, we are uniquely positioned to confront Trump at every turn as he tries to undermine our fundamental constitutional rights. We will meet him in the courts, the legislature, and the streets.
We will urge state government leaders to deny the federal government access to their law enforcement agencies and other state-held resources for purposes of immigrant detention and deportation. We will fight alongside communities most at risk and resist the further fracturing of efforts to foster a truly multicultural democracy. We will continue to fight, build power, and organize – together.
Key Legislation
Reproductive Rights
Contraceptive Equity Legislation
The Contraceptive Equity Package is a comprehensive set of bills aimed at removing barriers to contraceptive access for all Michiganders. This legislation ensures equitable access to contraception, protecting individuals' health and their right to decide if or when to grow their families.
What the package does:
- Insurers must cover hormonal birth control, emergency contraception, FDA-approved contraceptive products, and long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs or implants.
- Requires a 12-month supply of contraception.
- Allows pharmacists to independently prescribe birth control and emergency contraception.
HB 5013, HB 5435, HB 5436, SB 973, SB 987, SB 988
Reproductive Health Data Privacy Act (SB 1082)
SB 1082 is essential to protect reproductive rights in Michigan by safeguarding reproductive health data from misuse. This bill addresses the threat of data abuse from mobile location data, period trackers, and fitness apps, ensuring the privacy and security of individuals' reproductive health information.
- Data Minimization: Limits collection and use to what’s necessary.
- Clear and Affirmative Consent: Requires explicit consent for data collection and sale.
- Geolocation Protection: Prohibits tracking locations at reproductive health services.
Voting Rights
Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA)
The Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) would be one of the most comprehensive state voting rights acts in the nation. The MVRA ensures every eligible voter has fair and equal access to the ballot box, including voters of color, those whose primary language isn’t English, and voters with disabilities.
- Providing new legal tools to fight discriminatory voting rules in court.
- Expanding language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency.
- Ensuring advance public notice of key voting changes, enabling voters to take action.
- Providing important protections and assistance for voters with disabilities.
- Establishing a central hub for election information to increase transparency and promote best practices.
- Requiring places where a court has found voting discrimination to prove that subsequent voting changes will not harm protected voters before they can go into effect.
Contact your legislators to encourage them to support this important legislation on behalf of all Michigan voters.
Freedom to Read Act (House Bills 6034 and 6035)
The Freedom to Read Act, encompassing House Bills 6034 and 6035, is designed to protect and enhance the integrity of public and district libraries across Michigan. This legislation ensures that every Michigander has access to diverse and inclusive library collections, fostering an environment where free speech and the exchange of ideas are paramount.
- Granting library directors the authority to select, include, and withdraw materials based on professional judgment, free from personal biases.
- Prohibiting the removal of materials based on the religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics of the author or the content’s viewpoint.
- Establishing judicial oversight to ensure compliance and prevent discriminatory practices in material selection.
- Enhancing transparency by requiring advance public notice of key changes to library collections, allowing voters to stay informed.
- Providing legal remedies to protect libraries from unlawful removal of materials, ensuring sustained access to diverse information.
Youth Defense Services in Juvenile Court
House Bill 4630 would amend the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act, requiring the MIDC to develop, implement, and ensure compliance with minimum standards for delivering youth defense services in juvenile court. This expansion ensures that children receive the same quality legal representation as adults, fulfilling their constitutional right to counsel in delinquency proceedings.
- Authorizes MIDC to develop standards for attorneys representing children.
- Implements standards without requiring a new general fund appropriation for FY 2025.
- Establishes a centralized structure for juvenile public defense statewide.
- Provides mechanisms for oversight and compliance to prevent disparities in legal representation.
Get Involved
The ACLU will confront a second Trump presidency with every ounce of its formidable skills, strategic prowess, and people power. As well as our hundreds of legal and policy experts, field organizers, and public education strategists, the ACLU will activate our 6.5 million supporters in every state and territory.
Whether it’s fighting efforts at mass deportation that target our family members, neighbors, and co-workers, defending reproductive freedom for all, protecting our First Amendment right to speak out against government action, or guarding the rights of our LGBTQ+ Michiganders, the ACLU will be unwavering. Most importantly, we cannot do this without you. Our mission is deeply connected to your involvement, your passion, and your commitment to ensuring that every person has the right to live in dignity and freedom.
We’ve been at this for more than 100 years — thank you for sticking with us in this fight.