Issues addressed in the Michigan House and Senate

Family and Marriage Preservation

House Bills 5698 - 5703

This package of six bills was introduced in the House in February, 2006. The bills were similar to a package of legislation that Governor Granholm vetoed in 2004.

HB 5699, 5700 and 5703 would have provided incentives for couples to participate in pre-marital education programs. The incentives include elimination of the current 3 day waiting period for a marriage license and a tax credit to help cover the cost of pre-marital education programs.

HB 5702 would have allowed clergy to continue to legally offer marriage counseling after they retire without having to apply for a counseling license from the state.

HB 5698 and 5701 would have helped protect children during a divorce. Parents would be required to complete an education program about divorce and its effects on children. They would also be required to develop a parenting plan under the supervision of the court to best meet the needs of their children.

To read a synopsis of these bills, click here.

These bills, with the exception of HB 5700, passed the House on June 29, 2006. They did not receive support in the Senate, however. MFF is hopeful they will be reintroduced in 2007. Check back for updated information!

Polls indicate overwhelming support for the type of incentives and programs this legislation would create. To view some of the polling data from the past ten years, click here.

Protecting Children

SB 415/416

These two bills would require school districts to provide information to parents regarding the availability of an vaccine to prevent the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV).

These bills replace legislation that would have made the vaccine mandatory for sixth grade girls in Michigan. MFF opposed the mandate believing that decisions regarding a vaccine for a sexually-transmitted disease should remain in the hands of parents without coercion from the state. As a result of MFF's efforts, these compromise bills were introduced.

SB415 and 416 passed the Senate on May 29, 2007 and are currently in the hands of the House Health Policy committee.

Click here to view SB415 and click here to view SB416. To read MFF's position statement on the HPV vaccine, click here.

HB 4702 and 4703, SB 249 and 416, Public Act 104 of 2005: Protect Children from Ultra-Violent and Sexually Explicit Video Games

These four bills are designed to keep ultra-violent and sexually explicit video games out of the hands of minors. HB 4702 would make it a felony to knowingly sell a sexually explicit video game to a minor. HB 4703 would require video game retailers to provide signs or brochures explaining the current video game "rating" system.

SB 416 is the Senate version of HB 4702 and expands it to make it illegal to sell "ultra-violent" or sexually explicit video games to minors. SB 249 is similar to SB 416 and would make it a crime to sell or rent a "restricted video game" (meaning a game that is rated "adults only" or "M for Mature by the current ratings board) to a minor.

These bills were signed by Governor Granholm in September and became Public Act 104 of 2005. Unfortunately, several entertainment interest groups quickly challenged the new law in Court. A federal judge ruled that the law is unconstitutional in April, 2006. An appeal or rewrite of the law is planned in the near future.

Adoption

HB 4259

This bill will amend Michigan's adoption laws to allow two unmarried and/or unrelated adults to adopt a child. Currently only married couples or single individuals may legally adopt.

MFF opposes this bill because it is not in the best interest of children. All factors being equal, children do best when raised in a married household. MFF believes state policy should support the ideal setting for raising children.

The bill was approved on a narrow vote by the House Judiciary committee and now goes to the full House for consideration. To find out more about this bill, click here and enter the bill number in the "bill number" search field. Click here to contact your representative to share your views on this legislation.

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Detailed information about all legislation, voting records and contact information for public officials can be found at www.legislature.mi.gov

Testimonies

Michigan Family Forum staff have prepared and presented testimony to legislative committees on many family-related issues. Select a title from the list below to read these testimonies.

Click here to learn more about presenting a testimony for a public hearing.
Click here to learn more about how a bill becomes a law.
Click here to learn more about how legislative committees work and testifying.

April 26, 2005	Testimony for SB 416 Protection of Children from Violent and Sexually Explicit Video Games Senate Judiciary Committee
May 9, 2007	Allowing Two Unmarried Adults to Legally Adopt a Child