About The Commission
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 to carry out the guarantees against discrimination articulated in Article I, Section 2. As further stated in Article V, Section 29, the state constitution directs the Commission to investigate alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin and to "secure the equal protection of such civil rights without such discrimination". Public Acts 453 and 220 of 1976 and subsequent amendments have added sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disabilities to the original four protected categories.
Chair: Stacie Clayton Vice Chair: Laura Reyes Kopack
Commission Information
Commission Meeting Notices
- UPDATED Public Notice - November 23, 2020 Civil Rights Commission Meeting and Special Meeting, "Continuing the Conversation on Education Equity in Michigan"
- Public Notice - September 30, 2020 Civil Rights Commission Meeting
- Public Notice - August 24, 2020 Civil Rights Commission Special Meeting
- Public Notice - August 19, 2020 Civil Rights Commission Special Meeting
- Public Notice - July 27, 2020 Civil Rights Commission Meeting
Commission Meeting Agendas
Decisions/Reports/Rulings
Recent Commission Statements
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Issues Statement on the Passing of Judge Dalton Roberson, Sr.
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Recognizes Contributions of Michigan's LGBTQ Community, Reaffirms Commitment to Protection for LGBTQ Civil Rights under ELCRA
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Issues Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Recognizes the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Issues Statement on the Passing of Civil Rights Icons John Lewis and C. T. Vivian
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission Issues Statement on Governor Whitmer's E.O. Renaming Cass Building in Honor of Daisy Elliott and Melvin Larsen
Education Equity in Michigan Report
The Michigan Civil Rights Commission has stated that an effective education is a basic civil right. The Commission has now released a comprehensive report describing inequities in Michigan’s K-12 education system and detailing specific recommendations for action that policy makers and educators can implement to make achieving educational equity a priority in all Michigan schools. The report is the culmination of a series of public hearings throughout the state and a year-long examination of disparities in K-12 education in Michigan.
Read the full Commission report, “Education Equity in Michigan” here.
Public Comments on Scope of Sex Discrimination - ELCRA
- Public Comments - ELCRA
At the July 24 meeting of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, Equality Michigan (EQMI) asked the Commission to issue an interpretive statement to clarify that the prohibition against sex discrimination in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) includes protection against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Commission accepted public comments on the EQMI request from July 25 through August 15, 2017, which are accessible below. The Commission will address the request at their September 18 meeting in Lansing.
- July 25-29 Comments
- July 30-August 5 Comments
- August 7-10 Comments
- August 10-12 Comments
- August 13-14 Comments
- August 15 Comments
- ACLU Correspondence Regarding MCRC Interpretive Statement
- EQMI Supplemental Information & Comment
- Great Lakes Justice Center - On Behalf of Senate Republicans
- Comment from Rep. Hoadley and House Democrats
- Comment from Michigan Senate Democrats
Flint Water Crisis
MCRC Flint Water Crisis Report and Hearing Information
After a year-long investigation, three public hearings, testimony of more than 150 residents, community leaders, experts, academics and government officials, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission finds that race and racism played a significant role in causing the Flint water crisis, and all races were victims.
Read the full Commission report, "The Flint Water Crisis: Systemic Racism Through the Lens of Flint" here and the Executive Summary and Recommendations here.