Dievendorf Introduces Legislation Limiting Chemical Weapons Against Protestors
LANSING, Mich., April 30, 2026 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) introduced legislation this week to limit the use of chemical weapons against protestors. The bill is, in part, a response to recently introduced House Bill 5388 that would expand the types of chemicals that can be used as “self-defense sprays.” “Chemical weapons being used against peaceful protestors is inhumane,” Dievendorf said. “We saw earlier this year the kind of force the federal government is willing to exert against its [...]
Dievendorf Introduces MiCALM Legislation Regulating Advertisement Volume on Streaming Services
LANSING, Mich., April 28, 2026 — Today, State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) introduced their MiCALM legislation to regulate the volume of advertisements on video streaming services. The bill mandates an ad on a streaming service cannot be louder than the content being streamed. This would protect against blaring ads, and is especially important for individuals with hearing aids who may have connected to a device in order to hear. Services that do not comply would face a fine of up [...]
Dievendorf Dissents Against Supreme Court Decision Backing Harmful Conversion Therapy
LANSING, Mich., March 31, 2026 — Today, the Supreme Court ruled against a Colorado law that bans conversion therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The 8-1 decision was based on free speech concerns that the law censored speech based on a viewpoint. Conversion therapy is widely discredited and many states have laws on the books protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals from the harmful practice. In the past, the Supreme Court has allowed previous anti-conversion therapy laws to stay in place. In response to the [...]
Hope, Dievendorf Defend Lansing Schools, Question Politics of DOJ Investigation
Hope, Dievendorf Defend Lansing Schools, Question Politics of DOJ Investigation Joint Press Statement | State Reps. Kara Hope and Emily Dievendorf LANSING, Mich., Feb. 19, 2026 — The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced yesterday that it has opened investigations into three Michigan public school districts, including the Lansing School District, to examine whether courses include sexual orientation and gender identity content and whether parents were properly notified. In response, state Reps. Kara Hope (D-Holt) and Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) issued the [...]
Dievendorf, Pohutsky Introduce SAFER Act Designed to Protect Students
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 18, 2026 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) hosted a press conference today to introduce the Michigan Students' Access to Freedom and Educational Rights (SAFER) Act. The legislation, a two-bill package introduced alongside state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), is designed to enhance protections for students facing harassment in educational settings. Currently, federal law is insufficient to hold schools accountable when harassment takes place, but the SAFER Act would clarify rules around harassment in schools and ensure students’ [...]
Dievendorf Introduces Bills Aimed at Protecting Survivors
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 4, 2026 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) introduced several bills today aimed at protecting survivors of sexual violence and harassment. The legislation would prohibit non-disclosure agreements and provide for survivor confidentiality in cases of workplace harassment. “The stories of survivors of sexual violence and harassment are theirs to share,” Dievendorf said. “Too often, settlements come with a demand for silence. Making silence a condition of settlement is a disservice to those who want to share their [...]
Byrnes, Dievendorf, Paiz, Price Attend Day of Solidarity in Minnesota
SAINT PAUL, Minn., Jan. 29, 2026 — Today, state Reps. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) and Natalie Price (D-Berkley) joined dozens of state lawmakers from across the country in a Day of Solidarity with their Minnesota colleagues. The lawmakers discussed the impacts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) actions, including growing national concern about ICE and Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) actions and increased violence that has left multiple dead, including the killings of Renee [...]
Dievendorf Introduces Four Bills to Strengthen Pathways Out of Homelessness, Support Survivors
Dievendorf Introduces Four Bills to Strengthen Pathways Out of Homelessness, Support Survivors LANSING, Mich., Jan. 13, 2026 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D–Lansing) introduced four bills focused on removing barriers for survivors of violence and strengthening Michigan’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The legislation was developed in collaboration with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and reflects a continued commitment to supporting unhoused neighbors and individuals fleeing dangerous situations. Two of the bills would create and support a Homeless Advocacy [...]
Dievendorf, Democratic Legislators Introduce Water Affordability Now Legislative Package
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 30, 2025 — Yesterday, state Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), held a press conference to unveil their Affordable Water Now legislative package. Other bills in the package were sponsored by state Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint), Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) and Jimmie Wilson, Jr (D-Ypsilanti). Dievendorf was joined by members of the Water Equals Life Coalition to discuss water affordability in Michigan. Collectively, the bills work to ensure every Michigander has access to safe and [...]
Dievendorf Reintroduces Legislation to Enhance Collective Bargaining Rights for Agricultural, Domestic Workers
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 24, 2025 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) reintroduced a bill this week to provide collective bargaining rights to agricultural and domestic workers. Historically excluded from many labor protections, these workers often face challenges including low wages, unsafe working conditions and limited bargaining power. This bill is crucial to provide organizing power to these workers, as they play an essential role in sustaining our agricultural economy and supporting households across Michigan. After introducing the bill, Dievendorf released [...]
Xiong, Democratic Legislators on Pardoning of Lue Yang
Democratic lawmakers appeal to federal officials to locate and return Lue to his family and home in Michigan LANSING, Mich. Oct. 24, 2025 — State Reps. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) and Penelope Tserneglou (D-East Lansing) spoke with the press today to share news regarding Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pardon of Lue Yang and announce an appeal to federal officials, the public and the media to help locate Lue and urge DHS and Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to [...]
Michigan House LGBTQ+ Caucus Condemns Anti-Trans Policies
Michigan House LGBTQ+ Caucus Condemns Divisive Anti-Trans Policies; Calls for Focus on Getting a State Budget Passed LANSING, Mich., Sept. 4, 2025 — Under the Trump administration, there has been an increase in anti-trans policies and attacks against trans people are escalating across the country. This has been seen via restrictions to gender affirming health care, threats to civil rights, and denying people access to the facilities aligned with their gender identity. Today, House Republicans continued their anti-trans, anti-kids crusade [...]
Michigan Democrats, Advocates Shed Light on ICE Detaining Members of Hmong Community, Call for Safe Return
Democratic lawmakers call for transparency and the release of Hmong refugees whom ICE ripped away from their families and the communities they have long contributed to LANSING, Mich., Aug. 8, 2025 — Michigan Democrats held a press conference Thursday to call for greater transparency around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detaining Hmong refugees and to call for the release of those detained. State Reps. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) and Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and state Sens. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and [...]
Dievendorf, McFall, Foreman Stand Up for Kids
Legislators affirm their values in the face of Republican overreach LANSING, Mich., May 15, 2025 — Following suit with extremist legislation and rhetoric coming out of D.C., this session, Michigan House Republicans have introduced a variety of anti-trans, anti-rights bills, including legislation voted out of Government Operations Committee today — House Bills 4066 and 4469 — which aim to place a ban on transgender student athletes and restrict school districts’ ability to implement rules and regulations that work best for [...]
Dievendorf Reintroduces Homeless Bill of Rights
LANSING, Mich., March 7, 2025 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) reintroduced their legislation to enact a “Homeless Bill of Rights” yesterday. This bill seeks to address systemic inequities by affirming that housing status should never limit a person’s rights or opportunities. By codifying these protections, Michigan would join states like Rhode Island, Connecticut and Illinois in leading the fight against homelessness and discrimination. “Every single person in our state deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect [...]
House Democrats Celebrate MI Diversity
Democratic Caucus builds people up by elevating voices, empowering communities Members of the House Democratic Caucus stand together on the House floor on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at the Capitol building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 30, 2025 — Michigan House Democrats are proud to reflect and represent the diversity of Michigan’s communities in the state Legislature. Democratic caucus members come from a wide range of racial, ethnic, religious, socio-economic, sexual orientation backgrounds, gender identities, trades and professions. [...]
Progressive Women’s Caucus Condemns Republican Anti-Transgender Discrimination, Marginalization
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 28, 2025 — Michigan House Republicans’ introduced two anti-transgender bills today. House Bill 4031, misappropriately named the “FAIR Act,” Female Athletics Integrity of Records Act, would require official rewards, rankings and records in sports to reflect the “biological sex” of individuals, erroneously defined as “determined at [their] conception.” The second bill, House Bill 4024, would force educational institutions to determine students’ biological sex as they use changing rooms and bathrooms — a further attack on privacy in [...]
Dievendorf Honors Constituents for Performing CPR, Saving a Life
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 6, 2024 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) attended an event today to honor Michael Wolcott and Jim Flegel for their heroism and quick thinking that ultimately saved a man’s life. Wolcott, a distinguished clerk, and Flegel, the security director at the Michigan Court of Appeals, sprung into action at work when an attorney suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. “Michael and Jim’s actions exemplify the best of humanity,” Dievendorf said. “I am proud to honor them [...]
Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act Passes First Legislative Hurdle
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2024 — The House Economic Development and Small Business Subcommittee on Housing reported out House Bill 4919, known as the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act, today. The bill now heads to the full committee. This legislation would ensure homeless individuals have the same rights and privileges as any other citizen in Michigan. It would also prohibit the denial or abridgment of an individual’s rights, privileges or access to public services solely because the individual [...]
House Democrats Applaud Another Huge Step Forward for Accessible Reproductive Health Care
Newly announced MDDHS initiative provides free contraceptives LANSING, Mich., Oct. 23, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, alongside the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), announced the “Take Control of Your Birth Control” campaign today that will expand access to reproductive health care. This expansion ensures Michiganders can access free contraceptives while supplies last. “Michigan Democrats have stood on the side of reproductive freedom and individual choice about family planning for decades — not just when it's politically [...]
Dievendorf’s Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act Passes Senate
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 8, 2024 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf’s (D-Lansing) House Bill 4924 passed the Senate today unanimously with bipartisan support. This legislation creates the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, which will provide additional protections to heirs who inherit property as a tenant-in-common. “This legislation will keep family properties from being forcibly sold. Many low- to middle-income families have lost property and property-related wealth over these tenants in common agreements,” Dievendorf said. “This legislation helps family properties remain in the hands of relatives for [...]
Dievendorf to Deliver AED to Sexton High School Friday
State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) delivers a speech on the House floor in the Capitol building in Lansing on March 6, 2024. LANSING, Mich., Sept. 5, 2024 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) will present a new automated external defibrillator (AED) to Sexton High School at halftime during the school's football game against Lansing Catholic on Friday. Recently signed legislation ensures schools maintain AEDs and make them accessible within one to three minutes during a cardiac emergency. In celebration of [...]
LGBTQ+ Caucus Responds to New Title IX Regulations
Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 Michigan House LGBTQ+ Caucus Responds to New Title IX Regulations LANSING, Mich., Aug 2, 2024 — Earlier this week, new Title IX regulations were imposed by the U.S. District Court in Kansas. These regulations strip more than 100+ Michigan public schools of the expanded Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students. The court ruled that the Title IX protections cannot be enforced at [...]
Pride Month Resolutions Passes House
Members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, June 12, 2024 Michigan Dems Stand with LGBTQ+ Michiganders House Passes Pride Month Resolution LANSING, Mich., June 12, 2024 — Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) presented House Resolution 279 declares June 2024 as Pride Month in the state of Michigan, celebrating the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) people to Michigan Historically, Michigan Democrats have made passing a Pride resolution a priority to [...]
House Dems Ring in Women’s History Month
Former Michigan Gov. Albert E. Sleeper signs the states suffrage bill surrounded by suffragists on June 10, 1919. From left, state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Senate staffer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, House Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) look on as Whitmer signs the last Reproductive Health Act bill into law on Dec. 11, 2023, on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Lansing. Legislators honor past while signaling [...]
Dievendorf on State of the State Address
Lansing lawmaker shares priorities on housing, inequality State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) was joined by advocate for the homeless, Mike Karl, at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2024 — Before a joint legislative session today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered this year’s State of the State address. In her speech, the governor discussed her agenda for the new term, which includes lowering costs for Michiganders, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy. State Rep. [...]
Democratic Legislation Empowers Regulators to Better Protect Michigan Water
LANSING, Mich, Jan. 18, 2024 — House Democrats are addressing critical gaps in water protection regulations with a bill receiving a hearing today in the House Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation. House Bill 5205 would nix a rule that’s been crippling the ability of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to keep people safe from hazardous pollutants. The rule prevents EGLE from using any new scientific knowledge since 2006 to keep our environment and water [...]
Dievendorf Champions Protection of Heirs’ Property Rights
LANSING, Mich, Jan. 17, 2024 — Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are addressing unfair property inheritance laws with House Bill 4924. This bill addresses real property laws that allow non-family members to acquire an interest in property. The legislation aims to solve this problem while preserving a co-tenant’s right to sell their share of property. It provides due process for tenants-in-common and ensures a fair sale supervised by the court for equitable distribution of proceeds. This initiative is designed to [...]
Michigan Democrats Make Elections More Accessible, Secure
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 30, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer solidified Michigan’s commitment to ensuring accessible and secure elections with the signing of several key election and voter rights related bills today. The legislation focuses on enhancing Michigan’s democracy, such as increasing access to voting and safeguarding the integrity of state election campaigning rules. ”Among the legislation signed today was a bill package sponsored by state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), chair of the House Committee on Elections, along with state Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids), [...]
House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Juvenile Justice System
Bills improve children’s lives, maintain public safety LANSING, Mich., Oct. 17, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed bills to make the juvenile justice system in Michigan more effective and fair. These bills were informed by the recommendations from the bipartisan Juvenile Justice Task Force in 2021. The legislation within this package focuses on six issue areas: to enhance the Child Care Fund; to provide juveniles with legal counsel; to expand the Juvenile Diversion Act; to require each juvenile [...]
Dievendorf Responds to SCOTUS Decisions
LANSING, Mich., June 30, 2023 — The U.S. Supreme Court handed down the last of its decisions of the term this week, strengthening the rights of anti-LGBTQ+ businesses to discriminate, overturning affirmative action and blocking student loan forgiveness. State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) issued the following statement on the court’s rulings: “Corrupt MAGA justices on the Supreme Court are taking our country backward. While legacy admissions for wealthy Ivy League graduates remain legal, affirmative action — an imperfect but invaluable [...]
Activists, Advocates Rally for Transgender Day of Visibility
From left to right: Grace Bacon, Susan Crocker, Rachel Crandall Crocker and state Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility at the Avenue Café in Lansing on March 31, 2023. LANSING, Mich., April 6, 2023 — Activists and advocates rallied at the Capitol steps on March 31 to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility. “Transgender Day of Visibility was founded in 2009 by my friend Rachel Crandall Crocker, a social worker, when she saw the need for [...]
House Democrats Secure Rights for LGBTQ+ Community
Legislation adds sexual orientation, gender identity to civil rights law LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed landmark legislation today adding protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders to the state’s civil rights law. House Bill 4003 and its companion Senate Bill 4 expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) as a response to overwhelming public support for protections for all citizens of the state to live freely as their full, authentic selves. “It is a new day [...]