The Michigan Legislature is now in the second year of the two-year session 2023-2024. All bills introduced in the first year carry over into this year. Any bills that do not pass in the second year must be reintroduced in the first year of the next legislative session.

Enacted/Passed Bills

Domestic Relations

• HOUSE BILL 5207 through 5215 ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND SURROGACY PARENTAGE ACT & RELATED AMENDMENTS (ALSO KNOWN AS THE MICHIGAN FAMILY PROTECTION ACT)​
  • The package of bills legalizes gestational surrogacy agreements where the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child. Surrogacy agreements meeting specific criteria are now enforceable by law. Children born via surrogacy agreements will be treated the same as other children for the purposes of Michigan law, including for birth records, intestate succession, and establishment of paternity. The package of bills allows for reasonable compensation to surrogates among other benefits. It also ensures that the intended parents are recognized as the legal parents of the child from birth. The Act includes LGBTQ+ families and ensures they are treated equally under the law.
  • Status: This package of bills was signed by the Governor on April 1, 2024.  The Michigan Family Protection Act is effective 91 days after adjournment of the 2024 regular session sine die.
• SENATE BILL 0209 PROHIBITION OF MARRIAGE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE
  • This bill amends MCL 551.51 to void any marriage contracted by an individual until 18 years of age. The previous age limit under MCL 551.51 was 16 years old.
  • Status: This bill was signed by the Governor on July 11, 2023 with immediate effect.
• SENATE BILL 0213 REVOCATION OF RIGHT OF EMANICPATED MINOR TO MARRY 
  • This bill amends MCL 722.4 & MCL 722.4e by eliminating the right of an emancipated minor to enter into marriage.
  • Status: This bill was signed by the Governor on July 11, 2023 with immediate effect.
• House Bill 4516 AMEND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT
  • The bill would amend the domestic violence prevention and treatment Act to allow Federally recognized Indian tribes that have trust land located in the State to receive assistance and funds for the establishment or maintenance of a shelter program for victims of domestic violence and their dependent children.
  • Status: This bill was signed by the Governor on November 7, 2023 immediate effect.

To read the Court Rules Update, please open the attached .pdf document.

Kudos to the following Referees/Judges-elect who succeeded in judicial races on November 5th:

• Kim Gildner (Alpena/Montmorency) - Elected to Presque Isle Probate Court
• Mary Hood (Genesee) - Elected to Genesee County Circuit Court
• Adrienne Scruggs (Washtenaw) - Elected to Wayne County Circuit Court

And to those Referees who fell short on election night, you are all truly inspirational and also deserving of Kudos!  Thank you all for your continued dedication to Michigan families! 

​Kudos to Brian Nicholas (Macomb) for his appointment as the new Macomb County Friend of the Court Administrator!  Prior to his appointment, Brian served as the Chief Referee for the Friend of the Court since 2014 and as a Macomb County Domestic Referee since 2007.  Brian has been with the Macomb County Friend of the Court since 2002.
 
Kudos to Erin Magley (Ottawa) and Kelly Ward (Van Buren), for being willing to participate in the workgroup for the SCAO Weighted Case Study!    Thank you to Erin for her diligence in helping her fellow Referees prepare for the upcoming NCSC weighted caseload study and for answering questions in anticipation of the work study.
 
Kudos to Lisa Harris (Oakland) and Holly Spoelman (Muskegon), for participating in the Juvenile Justice Partnership Committee.  Thank you, Holly, for keeping RAM updated on the status of the Committee, for participating in the training workgroup, and for your involvement.

Kudos to Sahera Housey (Oakland), Tyler Martinez (Oakland), Jolene Clearwater (Allegan), and Dale Murney (Berrien) for presenting at the August 13 & 14, 2024 MJI New Family Division Referee Seminar.

Kudos to Rebecca Decoster (Oakland) and Tyler Martinez (Oakland) for presenting at MJI’s “What Jurists Look for in Custody and Parenting Time Reports” on August 22, 2024.

Kudos to Kelly Chard (Oakland) for her service and dedication to Oakland County families as she prepares for her upcoming retirement.

Kudos to Shannon Haneline (Oakland) and KC Mayer (Oakland) for their willingness to speak at the 2024 MCSF Boyne Conference about the UCCJEA.
 
Kudos to Kate Weaver (Oakland) for her involvement in several committees and organizations!  Kate was a featured speaker for the ERICSA Sovereign Citizens and Bench Panel, the NCSEA Custody and Parenting Time in IV-D Cases Training, and the MJI Sovereign Citizens Training.  Kate is also the Author of LexisNexis’s Michigan Family Law Paternity Chapter.  Way to go, Kate!  Thank you for your dedication to your fellow Referees and to Michigan families.