2025 House Bill 4696

Children: guardians; definition of relative under the guardianship assistance act; modify.

A bill to amend 2008 PA 260, entitled “Guardianship assistance act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 722.872), as amended by 2023 PA 69.

Official record

AI Analysis – Experimental

House Bills 4697 & 4698 updates the Michigan Guardianship Assistance Act to clarify eligibility, approval processes, and funding sources for guardianship assistance, with enhanced background checks and provisions for sibling placements, contingent on related legislation being enacted.

Introduced in the House

June 26, 2025

Introduced by Rep. Luke Meerman (R-89) and 27 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Stephanie Young (D-16), Kara Hope (D-74), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), Helena Scott (D-8), Mike McFall (D-14), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Mai Xiong (D-13), Matt Koleszar (D-22), Matt Longjohn (D-40), Tyrone Carter (D-1), Penelope Tsernoglou (D-75), Stephen Wooden (D-81), Tonya Myers Phillips (D-7), Donavan McKinney (D-11), Carol Glanville (D-84), Kristian Grant (D-82), Brenda Carter (D-53), Emily Dievendorf (D-77), Jason Morgan (D-23), Natalie Price (D-6), Denise Mentzer (D-61), Amos O’Neal (D-94), Julie Rogers (D-41), Laurie Pohutsky (D-17), Kelly Breen (D-21), Jennifer Conlin (D-48) and Cynthia Neeley (D-70)

Referred to the Committee on Families and Veterans

Feb. 24, 2026

Reported without amendment

Referred to the Committee on Rules

March 19, 2026

Reported without amendment

April 16, 2026

Passed in the House 101 to 3 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-90)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

April 21, 2026

Referred to the Committee on Housing and Human Services