ELLIOTT-LARSEN CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 453 of 1976
Article 4



37.2401 Definition.

Sec. 401.

     As used in this article, "educational institution" means a public or private institution, or a separate school or department thereof, and includes an academy, college, elementary or secondary school, extension course, kindergarten, nursery, local school system, university, or a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical, or vocational school; and includes an agent of an educational institution.


History: 1976, Act 453, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977





37.2402 Educational institution; prohibited practices.

Sec. 402.

    An educational institution shall not do any of the following:
    (a) Discriminate against an individual in the full utilization of or benefit from the institution, or the services, activities, or programs provided by the institution because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
    (b) Exclude, expel, limit, or otherwise discriminate against an individual seeking admission as a student or an individual enrolled as a student in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the institution, because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
    (c) For purposes of admission only, make or use a written or oral inquiry or form of application that elicits or attempts to elicit information concerning the religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status of an individual, except as permitted by rule of the commission or as required by federal law, rule, or regulation, or pursuant to an affirmative action program.
    (d) Print or publish or cause to be printed or published a catalog, notice, or advertisement indicating a preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based on the religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, of an applicant for admission to the educational institution.
    (e) Announce or follow a policy of denial or limitation through a quota or otherwise of educational opportunities of a group or its members because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
    
    


History: 1976, Act 453, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 512, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 216, Imd. Eff. Oct. 29, 1993 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 6, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024
Admin Rule: R 37.1 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.





37.2402a Designation of racial or ethnic classification in writing developed by educational institution; transmission of information to federal agency; “writing” defined.

Sec. 402a.

    (1) An educational institution shall do both of the following if that educational institution lists racial or ethnic classifications in a writing developed or printed 90 or more days after the effective date of this section, and if that educational institution requests that an individual select 1 of those classifications to designate his or her race or ethnicity:
    (a) Include in the writing the term "multiracial" as a classification, and a definition of that term that substantially provides that "multiracial" means having parents of different races.
    (b) Exclude from the writing the term "other" as a classification.
    (2) If a federal agency requires an educational institution to transmit information obtained from an individual pursuant to a writing described in subsection (1), but rejects the classification "multiracial", the educational institution shall redesignate the individuals identified as multiracial by allocating those individuals to racial or ethnic classifications approved by the federal agency in the same ratio that those classifications occur within the general population of the group from which the information was solicited.
    (3) As used in this section, "writing" means that term as defined in section 2 of the freedom of information act, Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being section 15.232 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.


History: Add. 1995, Act 88, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1995





37.2403 Religious educational institution; exemption.

Sec. 403.

     The provisions of section 402 related to religion shall not apply to a religious educational institution or an educational institution operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious institution or organization which limits admission or gives preference to an applicant of the same religion.


History: 1976, Act 453, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977





37.2404 Private educational institution; exemption.

Sec. 404.

     The provisions of section 402 relating to sex shall not apply to a private educational institution not exempt under section 403, which now or hereafter provides an education to persons of 1 sex.


History: 1976, Act 453, Eff. Mar. 31, 1977





37.2404a Single-gender school, class, or program; definitions.

Sec. 404a.

    (1) This article does not prohibit the board of a school district or intermediate school district or the board of directors of a public school academy from establishing and maintaining a single-gender school, class, or program within a school as provided under sections 475 and 1146 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.475 and 380.1146.
    (2) As used in this section, "school district", "intermediate school district", and "public school academy" mean those terms as defined in the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1 to 380.1852.


History: Add. 2006, Act 348, Imd. Eff. Sept. 1, 2006




Rendered 8/15/2025 7:16 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov