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HB 4628

Civil procedure: other; certain references in the revised judicature act; make gender neutral. Amends secs. 1410, 2005, 2162, 2807, 3344, 5451, 6023a & 6131 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1410 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HJR F'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 26 co-sponsors

Michigan bill replaces gendered pronouns with gender-neutral language in civil procedure statutes to modernize legal text and ensure equal application across all parties.

bill electronically reproduced 06/10/2025
#civilprocedure:other #civilrights:sexualorientationdiscrimination #familylaw:marriageanddivorce
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Bill Summary · HB 4628

Legislative bill overview

HB 4628 updates Michigan's civil procedure laws by replacing gendered language (such as "he," "she," "his," "her") with gender-neutral pronouns and terms across eight sections of the Revised Judicature Act. The bill is procedural in nature and does not substantively change legal rights, responsibilities, or court processes—only the language used to describe them.

Why is this important

Civil procedure statutes are frequently referenced and applied in courtrooms, legal documents, and judicial decisions. Using gender-neutral language ensures the law applies equally and clearly to all parties regardless of gender identity, and modernizes statutory language to reflect contemporary drafting standards used in most recent legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Minimal substantive debate expected: This is largely a technical, non-controversial modernization that most legislatures routinely pass without significant opposition
  • Tie-bar with HJR F'25: The bill's connection to a joint resolution may indicate a broader gender-neutral language initiative, though the specific scope requires review of the resolution
  • Implementation consistency: Ensuring all cross-referenced sections and related statutes use consistent gender-neutral language throughout the entire code, which may require future related amendments

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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