Rep. Brenda Carter

Maddy summaryHB 4609 amends Michigan's 1981 Married Women's Property Act (1981 PA 216) to replace gender-specific language with neutral terms. It updates sections 1, 4, 5, and 6 to refer to "a person" instead of "a married woman," and removes references to "husband" or "spouse" where they are not legally necessary. The bill preserves all existing property rights for married individuals but modernizes the law's language to be inclusive. This is a procedural update, not a change to property rights, and depends on a constitutional amendment passing.

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 4624 amends Michigan's City Income Tax Act (MCL 141.641) to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with the gender-neutral term "spouses" in provisions about joint tax filings. This change directly affects individuals filing joint income tax returns with their partners in cities that impose local income taxes. The bill updates existing language without altering tax rates, filing requirements, or obligations. It is a technical correction to modernize legal terminology in the ordinance. The amendment applies to all cities using this tax structure and does not change how taxes are calculated or collected.

Maddy summaryHB 4621 updates Michigan property law to replace gender-specific terms like "husband and wife" with "spouses" in rules about survivorship for property held as a tenancy by the entirety. It ensures that when a married couple owns land under this ownership structure and accepts a mortgage or land contract as part of the purchase price, the surviving spouse automatically inherits the mortgage or contract rights without court involvement. The bill directly affects married couples who jointly own property this way, clarifying that the same rules apply to land contracts as to mortgages. This is a technical language update with no change to existing survivorship procedures, solely modernizing the law's wording. (Bill number: HB 4621; amends MCL 557.81)

Maddy summaryHB 4633 amends Michigan's probate code to strengthen rights and information for individuals alleged to be incapacitated during guardianship proceedings. It requires court-appointed guardians ad litem to explain key rights, including the right to contest the petition, request limits on a guardian's powers (especially regarding do-not-resuscitate orders or physician treatment orders), and the right to legal counsel. The bill mandates that if an individual requests legal representation or the guardian ad litem determines it's necessary, the court must appoint counsel at state expense if the individual is indigent. This directly affects people facing guardianship hearings, ensuring they receive clear information about their medical directives and legal options before a guardian is appointed.

Maddy summaryHB 4635 creates a new process for appointing temporary guardians for individuals who cannot make decisions for themselves (incapacitated persons), requiring immediate action to protect their welfare. Courts may appoint a temporary guardian for up to six months if specific conditions are met, such as following court rules for emergency orders or complying with existing petition requirements. During this period, the temporary guardian assumes care and custody, suspending the authority of any permanent guardian, and must report to the court. A permanent guardianship appointment must be scheduled within 28 days of the temporary appointment, streamlining the transition while ensuring timely oversight. This bill directly affects vulnerable individuals and their families navigating urgent guardianship needs.

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.