The House Criminal Justice Committee approved
a package of bills Wednesday that would prohibit and criminalize “squatting,”
which is when a person who lacks permission enters and proceeds to live in a
vacant home or building.
House Bills 5069,
5070,
and 5071,
introduced by Representative Kurt Heise (R-Canton Township), make a squatting
first offense a 180-day misdemeanor and $5,000 fine. The second offense would
be elevated to a 5-year felony also with a $5,000 fine.
All three bills passed on a 7-1 vote with
Representative Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit) opposing. Representative Robinson
stated that she was concerned the legislation would result in the harassment of
homeless people in her district.
Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods),
John Kivela (D-Marquette) and Stacey Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) abstained from
voting.