Rep. Stephen Wooden

Maddy summaryHB 4630 amends Michigan law to make marriage license provisions gender-neutral by removing the phrase "of the opposite sex" from the existing secrecy provision for marriage licenses. The bill affects individuals seeking to keep their marriage date confidential, ensuring the process applies equally regardless of the applicants' genders. Key provisions update Section 1 of 1897 PA 180 (MCL 551.201) to allow probate judges to issue marriage licenses without publicity for any applicant with a valid reason, without specifying gender. This change aligns the law with current marriage equality standards but does not alter the underlying secrecy process or requirements. The bill's effective date depends on a related constitutional amendment request (HJR F'25) being approved.

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 The bill solely updates outdated terminology to align with current inclusive standards.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 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 summaryHR 127 is a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause all Job Corps center operations by June 30, 2025, with specific focus on the Detroit center. It directly affects approximately 217 enrolled youth at the Detroit Job Corps Center, who were reportedly told to leave immediately on May 30, 2025, with reports of some facing homelessness. The resolution cites the program’s 60-year history of providing career training, high school completion, and wraparound services (like mental health support) to disadvantaged youth aged 16-24. It emphasizes that the sudden pause disrupts critical services for Detroit youth and communities, as 321 Michigan participants were enrolled at the Detroit center as of 2023. The resolution has no binding effect but formally requests the Department of Labor reverse its operational pause.

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 summaryHB 4546 requires health insurers in Michigan providing prescription drug coverage to comply with Section 12 of the Prescription Drug Cost and Affordability Review Act. This bill directly affects health insurance companies operating in Michigan that offer prescription drug benefits. The key provision mandates these insurers to follow specific cost and affordability review requirements already established under the Review Act. The bill is tied to companion legislation (HB 4544) and is currently pending in the House Committee on Government Operations.