Family law: marriage and divorce; certain references in the revised statutes of 1846 of marriage and the solemnization thereof; make gender neutral. Amends secs. 2, 3 & 9 of 1846 RS 83 (MCL 551.2 et seq.) & repeals secs. 1 & 4 of 1846 RS 83 (MCL 551.1 & 551.4). TIE BAR WITH: HJR F'25
HB 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 It repeals outdated sections (MCL 551.1 and 551.4) that contained gendered language.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.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 10, 2025
Last action Jun 11, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Laurie Pohutsky
lower
1 primary · 24 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Laurie Pohutsky
DDemocratic
Co
Betsy Coffia
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Glanville
DDemocratic
Co
Carrie Rheingans
DDemocratic
Co
Denise Mentzer
DDemocratic
Co
Dylan Wegela
DDemocratic
Co
Emily Dievendorf
DDemocratic
Co
Erin Byrnes
DDemocratic
Co
Helena Scott
DDemocratic
Co
Jason Hoskins
DDemocratic
Co
Jason Morgan
DDemocratic
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