Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bills 70-76 and House Bills 5054-5058 into law this week, officially establishing an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) to strengthen protections for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Michigan. In response, state Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton), sponsor of House Bill 5056 in the bicameral, bipartisan package, released the following statement:
“After several years and legislative terms of advocacy, I’m so grateful to see the ACP package finally make it past the finish line and signed into law by Governor Whitmer. Michigan now joins the dozens of other states that allow survivors to keep their addresses confidential from their abusers. Survivors have already lived through indescribable trauma and protecting their privacy will help ensure their safety and prevent any further abuse. This is especially critical at a time when many are facing heightened risks during the ongoing pandemic. The ACP will help offer survivors in Michigan the peace of mind they deserve as we head into the new year. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make Michigan a safer place to call home.”