2013 House Bill 5069 / 2014 Public Act 223

Authorize penalties on rental property “squatters”

Introduced in the House

Oct. 8, 2013

Introduced by Rep. Kurt Heise (R-20)

To establish that the usual restrictions and penalties on a landlord interfering with a tenant’s legitimate possession of a rented residence do not apply in the case of “squatters,” defined by the bill as a person who took possession by “forcible entry, holds possession by force after a peaceable entry, or came into possession by trespass.” House Bill 5070 authorizes criminal penalties for some squatting violations.

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

Oct. 30, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 13, 2013

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Nov. 14, 2013

Passed in the House 89 to 21 (details)

Received in the Senate

Dec. 3, 2013

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Jan. 15, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S­1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 11, 2014

Passed in the Senate 32 to 5 (details)

To establish that the usual restrictions and penalties on a landlord interfering with a tenant’s legitimate possession of a rented residence do not apply in the case of “squatters,” defined by the bill as a person who took possession by “forcible entry, holds possession by force after a peaceable entry, or came into possession by trespass.” House Bill 5070 authorizes criminal penalties for some squatting violations.

Received in the House

June 12, 2014

Passed in the House 98 to 12 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 21, 2014