Rep. Jennifer Conlin

Maddy summaryHB 4616 updates Michigan's marriage laws to remove gender-specific language. It amends sections 2, 3, and 9 of the 1846 Revised Statutes (MCL 551.2, 551.3, and 551.9) to replace terms like "man and woman" with gender-neutral language, affecting all couples entering marriage in Michigan. The bill removes gender references from the definition of marriage, prohibited relationships, and the solemnization requirements. It repeals outdated sections (MCL 551.1 and 551.4) that contained gendered language. The change applies to all marriage contracts and ceremonies under current law.

Maddy summaryHB 4613 updates Michigan law to replace gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with "spouses" in rules about joint ownership of personal property. It clarifies that certain personal property (such as bonds, stocks, or promissory notes) held by married couples will automatically be considered joint tenancy with survivorship rights - meaning the surviving spouse inherits the property - unless the document specifies otherwise. This change applies to personal property, not real estate, and aligns existing rules with modern marriage terminology. The bill requires a constitutional amendment (HJR F'25) to take effect, as noted in its enacting section.

Maddy summaryHB 4615 updates Michigan's Uniform Veterans' Guardianship Act to remove gendered language. It replaces references like "his wife" with the gender-neutral term "spouse" in Section 13 (MCL 35.83), ensuring the law applies equally to all veterans under guardianship regardless of their spouse's gender. This change directly affects veterans who have appointed guardians and their spouses, making the legal language inclusive without altering existing support or maintenance provisions for wards.

Maddy summaryHB 4608 amends Michigan's Mental Health Code (MCL 330.1800) by changing the term "parents" to "parent" in the definition of "parents" for minors under 18. This technical correction removes gendered language from the law, ensuring the definition applies equally to all legal guardians regardless of gender. The bill directly affects how the state defines financial responsibility for mental health services provided to minors. It makes a narrow, non-substantive change to existing code language without altering program requirements or service provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4611 updates Michigan's 1975 property law to replace gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language ("spouses") in rules governing property held as tenants by the entirety. This change ensures the law's wording is inclusive but does not alter the existing equal rights of married couples to manage and share income from such property. The bill requires a related constitutional amendment to take effect, as noted in its enacting section.

Maddy summaryHB 4606 updates Michigan's property law to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with "spouses" in rules about terminating tenancies by the entirety. This means married couples owning property under this arrangement can now have their rights clarified without gender-specific language, allowing either spouse to transfer their interest to the other. The bill directly affects married couples holding property as tenants by the entirety, ensuring the legal process reflects modern relationships. The change is contingent on a related constitutional amendment (HJR F'25) being adopted.

Maddy summaryHB 4605 updates Michigan's Regulatory Loan Act to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouses" in Section 17 (MCL 493.17). This change affects married borrowers who must sign liens on household goods, ensuring the requirement applies equally regardless of gender. The bill revises the law's wording to remove outdated references while maintaining the existing requirement for both spouses' signatures. The amendment is contingent on a related constitutional change being adopted, as specified in the enacting section.

Maddy summaryHB 4614 updates Michigan law to replace gender-specific terms in property deed rules. It revises Section 2 of 1861 PA 21 (MCL 565.602) to change "husband and wife" to "spouses," ensuring deeds executed jointly by couples through a joint power of attorney are valid regardless of gender. This directly affects married or domestic partners using joint power of attorney to transfer property, making the law inclusive for all couples. The bill requires approval of a constitutional amendment (via HJR F'25 or S00781'25) before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4610 amends Michigan’s insurance code (sections 2207, 2209, 3110, and 3402) to replace gendered terms like "husband," "wife," and "children" with gender-neutral language (e.g., "spouse" or "partner"). It directly affects life insurance policies where beneficiaries are named as spouses, descendants, or trustees for their benefit, ensuring the code uses inclusive terminology. The bill updates the legal language but does not change beneficiary rights, exemption rules for insurance proceeds, or creditor protections. This is a procedural language update, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4617 amends Michigan's property tax deferment law (MCL 211.764) to update gendered language, replacing references like "husband and wife" with neutral terms such as "spouses" for joint ownership. This change directly affects homeowners applying for deferment of special assessments on their homestead properties, particularly those owning property jointly. The bill modifies only the language in Section 4 of the 1976 law, leaving all existing eligibility rules, affidavit requirements, lien warnings, and mortgage consent procedures unchanged. It does not alter the financial mechanisms or eligibility criteria for the deferment program itself.