AMEND EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE

House Joint Resolution GG (as introduced)

Sponsor:  Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 5-16-16

SUMMARY:

The bill would include "sex" as a protected class under the Equal Protection Clause of the State Constitution.

Currently, Section 2 of Article I of the Michigan Constitution states that no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws; nor shall any person be denied the enjoyment of his civil or political right or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of religion, race, color or national origin. 

The joint resolution would add "sex" as a listed class protected under Section 2.  Further, this provision would only become part of the State Constitution if approved by voters at the next general election.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The resolution would have an indeterminate fiscal impact for the Department of Civil Rights.  Adding a measure to the civil rights section may increase the number of complaints and investigations conducted by the department, but the figures and potential resulting impacts cannot be determined at this time.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Perry Zielak

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.