Public accommodations laws protect individuals in Michigan and across the country from discrimination in places that provide goods or services to the public. These laws require covered businesses and organizations to treat customers fairly regardless of specific personal traits.
Both state and federal laws address individuals’ rights to public accommodations. At the state level, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act governs public accommodations in Michigan. Federally, individuals receive protections under such laws as Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Broadly speaking, this area of the law outlines when discrimination is unlawful and what responsibilities businesses have to the public.
What Types of Establishments Must Comply with Public Accommodations Laws?
Public accommodations laws apply to a wide range of establishments that offer goods, services, or facilities to the general public. These laws do not apply only to businesses that sell products, but also to organizations and institutions that provide access, amenities, or entertainment. Michigan law provides a broad definition of public accommodations that encompasses the following types of establishments and requires them to provide equal access and treatment to all patrons:
- Hotels, motels, and other lodging facilities open to the public
- Restaurants, bars, cafes, and other food service businesses
- Retail stores, shopping centers, and service providers
- Theaters and concert halls
- Sports arenas and stadiums
- Hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities
- Educational institutions, including private schools and colleges that serve the public
- Recreation centers, gyms, and swimming pools
- Public transportation services and terminals
- Government buildings and offices open to the public
- Museums, libraries, and parks
- Private country clubs, golf clubs, boating/yachting clubs, sports/athletic clubs
Examples of Protected Characteristics
Michigan law prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on specific protected characteristics. These protections mirror and, in some cases, expand on those provided under federal law. Under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and related statutes, individuals are protected from discrimination based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression
- Age
- Marital status
Federal law also provides protections for additional groups under certain circumstances, such as people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and individuals facing discrimination based on genetic information under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.
Examples of Violations of Public Accommodations Statutes
Violations of public accommodations laws can occur in many ways. The core factor that these violations have in common is that they involve a business or service provider treating someone unfairly because of a protected characteristic. Michigan’s civil rights laws apply regardless of whether the discrimination is intentional or based on company policies that have an unequal effect. Some examples of potential violations that can give rise to civil rights complaints or lawsuits based on discrimination in public accommodations include:
- A restaurant refusing to seat a same-sex couple
- A hotel denying a reservation to a person with a disability
- A store employee making derogatory remarks toward a customer based on their race
- A gym refusing membership to someone because of their age
- A theater offering discounted tickets to one gender but not another
Discuss Your Case with a Saginaw Public Accommodations Attorney
If you believe an establishment discriminated against you based on a protected characteristic, you have several potential legal options you might explore. A Saginaw public accommodations attorney can review the facts and help you file a complaint with the appropriate government agency or file a lawsuit against the discriminatory establishment.
For over 40 years, The Mastromarco Firm has represented individuals in Saginaw and across Michigan who have faced discrimination in public accommodations based on protected characteristics. Contact our office today to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer.