Rep. Jennifer Conlin

Maddy summaryHB 4627 amends Michigan's Campaign Finance Act (MCL 169.261) to replace gendered language with inclusive, gender-neutral terms. Specifically, it changes references like "husband and wife spouses" in Section 61(2) to remove gender specificity, ensuring the law applies equally regardless of marital or gender identity. This technical correction affects how the campaign finance law is written but does not alter funding mechanisms, contribution limits, or eligibility rules for campaign finance participants. The bill solely updates outdated terminology to align with current inclusive standards. As a procedural amendment, it requires no substantive policy change to the state campaign fund system.

Maddy summaryHB 4625 updates Michigan's Worker's Compensation Act to replace gendered terms like "wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouse" in Sections 118, 335, and 353. It specifically revises references to dependents (e.g., changing "dependent wife" to "dependent spouse") and clarifies definitions of household domestic servants and dependents. The bill directly affects workers, their spouses, and dependents receiving compensation under the act by ensuring language does not discriminate based on gender. This is a technical correction to align the law with modern gender-neutral standards, not a change to eligibility or benefit amounts. The bill does not alter existing compensation rules or create new benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 4631 updates Michigan's Public Safety Officers Benefit Act to remove gendered language from key definitions. It changes "husband or wife" to "spouse" in the definition of "surviving spouse" (subsection k) and replaces gendered references like "his or her" with neutral terms throughout the act. This ensures the law applies equally to all public safety officers and their spouses, regardless of gender, without altering benefit amounts or eligibility rules. The bill affects public safety officers (including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and their families covered under the benefit act.

Maddy summaryHB 4634 amends Michigan's probate code to update the process for appointing guardians and conservators for individuals who may lack decision-making capacity. It requires petitioners to include specific examples of an individual's condition and mandates courts to provide written information about alternatives like limited guardianship or durable power of attorney before filing. The bill also requires detailed medical evaluations by court-appointed professionals, including medication details and prognosis, and strengthens the individual's rights to be present at hearings, have legal counsel, and present evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 4632 amends Michigan's guardianship and conservatorship laws to strengthen oversight of professional guardians and conservators who manage care for vulnerable adults. It requires these professionals to submit criminal background checks, file a financial bond, and establish regular visitation schedules with their wards within three months of appointment. The bill also mandates transparency about outside compensation and prohibits delegating critical decisions (like medical care) to support staff, while allowing them to provide information under direct supervision. These changes apply to court-appointed professionals managing estates or personal care for individuals under legal protection.

Maddy summaryHB 4626 updates Michigan's community property law (MCL 557.253 and 557.254) by replacing gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouses." This change modernizes the statute's wording without altering the substance of property rights or rules related to community property. The bill applies to all property governed by the law, including existing holdings and future acquisitions, ensuring consistent language for married couples regardless of gender. It is a technical revision to align the legal text with inclusive standards, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4622 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language by replacing terms like "husband," "wife," and "his" or "her" with "spouse" throughout Sections 1 and 2 of the 1909 divorce statute (MCL 552.101-552.102). It specifically revises provisions about dividing insurance benefits, pensions, retirement assets, and real estate ownership in divorce judgments to apply equally to all spouses. The bill does not change how divorce settlements are calculated or affect legal outcomes - it only modernizes the language to be inclusive. This is a procedural update to the statute, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 4612 updates Michigan's divorce law to use gender-neutral language, changing references to "divorced women" to "divorced individuals" in the law governing name changes during divorce proceedings. The bill modifies the title and Section 1 of the 1905 law (MCL 552.391) to allow any divorcing person - regardless of gender - to request restoration of their birth name, their pre-marriage surname, or adoption of a new surname during divorce. The key mechanism remains the same: circuit courts can grant these name changes upon request without requiring fraudulent intent. This is a procedural language update, not a policy change to eligibility or process. The bill requires approval of a related constitutional amendment request before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4619 updates Michigan's marriage license law to remove gendered language. It changes references like "man or woman" in the residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license to gender-neutral terms. This affects anyone applying for a marriage license in Michigan by ensuring the process uses inclusive language. The bill amends Section 1 of the 1887 Marriage Act (MCL 551.101) without altering eligibility for marriage. It is a procedural language change, not a policy shift on marriage rights.

Maddy summaryHR 124 is a commemorative resolution designating June 2-6, 2025, as Survival Flight Week in Michigan. It honors Survival Flight's critical medical transport services - providing rapid, lifesaving care for patients, organs, and equipment - and commemorates the six crew members lost in a 2007 aircraft crash. The resolution recognizes the service's impact on Michigan's health systems and the ongoing sacrifices of its team. It is a symbolic gesture, not a policy change, and was adopted by the Michigan House on June 5, 2025.