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HB 4215

Family law: parenting time; reference to section 7b of the child custody act of 1970 in the revised judicature act of 1961; modify. Amends sec. 1035 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.1035). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4217'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Paquette

HB 4215 adds great-grandparenting time to the Revised Judicature Act, enabling petitions for parenting time (contingent on HB 4217) with mediation safeguards for families.

bill electronically reproduced 03/12/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4215

Summary — HB 4215 (Revised Judicature Act) — Great‑grandparenting time reference

Bill number: HB 4215
Sponsor: Rep. Brad Paquette
Subject: Family law — parenting time (reference to great‑grandparenting time)
Statute amended: 1961 PA 236 (Revised Judicature Act of 1961), sec. 1035 (MCL 600.1035)
Enacting contingency: conditioned on enactment of HB 4217 (which defines great‑grandparenting time under the Child Custody Act)
Governor signed: 05/28/2025 — Effective date: 09/01/2025

Purpose / Intent

HB 4215 updates the Revised Judicature Act to account for pending changes in the Child Custody Act that would allow great‑grandparents to seek court‑ordered parenting time. Its purpose is to add a specific reference to “great‑grandparenting time” in the provisions governing domestic relations mediation and related case definitions so that great‑grandparent petitions are subject to the same mediation rules and protections as existing grandparent petitions.

Key provisions

  • Amends MCL 600.1035 (section 1035 of the Revised Judicature Act) to:
    • Expand the statutory definition of “domestic relations action” to explicitly include grandparenting or great‑grandparenting time under section 7b of the Child Custody Act (MCL 722.27b).
    • Retain and apply existing mediation safeguards for domestic relations cases, including:
    • Prohibiting referral of contested issues to mediation unless the court first holds a hearing to determine mediation’s appropriateness when a personal protection order exists or when parties are involved in child abuse/neglect proceedings (with limited exceptions where the protected parent requests mediation).
    • Requiring mediators to make reasonable inquiry and ongoing screening for coercion or violence, including using the State Court Administrative Office’s domestic violence screening protocol as directed by the Michigan Supreme Court.

Who is affected

  • Great‑grandparents (if HB 4217 is enacted) — becomes an explicitly recognized category for seeking parenting‑time orders.
  • Parents, children, grandparents, mediators, circuit courts, and Friends of the Court — mediation procedures and screening requirements apply where great‑grandparenting time is at issue.
  • Court administrative systems — potential increases in related filings and administration.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • HB 4215 contains an enactment clause making its effectiveness contingent on HB 4217 (which defines great‑grandparent).
  • Legislative history shows HB 4215 was enacted (signed by the Governor 05/28/2025) and set to take effect 09/01/2025.

Fiscal impact

  • No fiscal impact on the State was estimated.
  • Possible increased costs for local circuit courts and Friends of the Court due to additional petitions and caseload; magnitude indeterminate.

Related legislation

  • HB 4217 — defines “great‑grandparent” and authorizes great‑grandparenting time petitions under the Child Custody Act (tie‑bar).
  • HB 4216 — makes parallel changes in the Probate Code.
  • SB 2154 — Senate companion bill.

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

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