2020 House Bill 6294 / Public Act 246

Authorize electronic legal document signatures during epidemic

Introduced in the House

Oct. 8, 2020

Introduced by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65)

To establish that, for the period between April 30, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2021, the requirements for signing or witnessing the execution of a will, a funeral representative designation, a parental appointment of a guardian for a minor, an appointment of a guardian for a legally incapacitated individual, a durable power of attorney, or a patient advocate designation “are considered satisfied by use of a 2-way real-time audiovisual technology” using procedures specified in the bill.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Oct. 13, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65)

To establish that "the rights or interests of a person that relies in good faith and without actual notice that a document or instrument...was not executed" as specified in the bill "are not impaired, challenged, or terminated on that basis alone".

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 102 to 1 (details)

Received in the Senate

Oct. 21, 2020

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To establish that, for the period between April 30, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2021, the requirements for signing or witnessing the execution of a will, a funeral representative designation, a parental appointment of a guardian for a minor, an appointment of a guardian for a legally incapacitated individual, a durable power of attorney, or a patient advocate designation “are considered satisfied by use of a 2-way real-time audiovisual technology” using procedures specified in the bill.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 5, 2020