LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Homeless people in the state of Michigan, will likely have expanded rights under new legislation introduced in the House of Representatives. 

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Under House Bill 4919, sponsored mainly by Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), a “bill of rights for the homeless” would add expanded protections for those who do not have a permanent home and mailing address. 

“An individual’s rights, privileges, or access to public services must not be denied or abridged solely because the individual is homeless or perceived as being homeless,” the bill says. “An individual who is homeless shall be granted the same rights and privileges as any other citizen of this state. An individual experiencing homelessness has all of the following rights.”  

“The right to freedom from discrimination in employment because of the lack of a permanent mailing address or having a mailing address that is a shelter or a social service provider,” the legislation adds, “If the individual is a United States citizen, the right to vote, register to vote, and receive documentation necessary to prove identity for voting without discrimination due to housing status.” 

Similarly, those who are homeless would have the ability to move in public spaces without fear of discrimination based on their housing status. 

“The right to use and move freely in public spaces, including, but not limited to, public sidewalks, public parks, public transportation, and public buildings,” the legislation says. 

In the legislation, anyone who does not have a permanent address could be entitled to extra protections such as: employment, voting, and medical services. 

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So far, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Illinois have passed their own version of the “Homeless Bill of Rights.” 

According to Invisible People, a non-profit group dedicated to sharing the experiences of the homeless, Puerto Rico also passed its own version of the legislation in 1988, and ensures that homeless people will be guaranteed basic U.S. Citizen’s rights. 

“The Homeless Bill of Rights is a reaffirmation of these rights that provides additional legal protection, adding more friction to the previously all too smooth process of denying people their rights on a whim,” the group said. 

While the U.S. states implementation of the legislation is only recent, the results have been mixed, adding that the Puerto Rico Homeless Bill of Rights was “broad in scope and has had some difficulty enacting its plan.” 

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Small Business and awaits consideration.  It can be read in its full form here.