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HB 4631

Public employees and officers: compensation and benefits; certain references in the public safety officers benefit act; make gender neutral. Amends sec. 2 of 2004 PA 46 (MCL 28.632). TIE BAR WITH: HJR F'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 27 co-sponsors

Michigan bill replaces gendered language with gender-neutral terms in Public Safety Officers Benefit Act to ensure equal benefit access for all officers and beneficiaries.

bill electronically reproduced 06/10/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4631

Legislative bill overview

HB 4631 amends the Public Safety Officers Benefit Act (2004 PA 46) to replace gendered language with gender-neutral terminology in statutory references. The bill makes technical language updates to ensure the law applies equally regardless of gender identity or expression of public safety officers and their beneficiaries.

Why is this important

Public safety officer benefits—including death benefits, disability payments, and survivor compensation—are significant financial protections that can affect families and livelihoods. Clarifying that these protections apply to all officers and beneficiaries regardless of gender ensures equitable access to benefits and reflects current legal standards around inclusive language in state statutes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of change: Disagreement over whether this is purely technical/clarifying language or represents a substantive policy shift in benefit eligibility or coverage
  • Implementation concerns: Questions about whether existing benefit determinations need review or if new claims should be evaluated under updated language
  • Ideological opposition: Some may object to gender-neutral language updates on principle, while others may argue the changes don't go far enough in addressing discrimination in public safety benefits

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

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