Bill > HB4608

This bill proposes to update Section 800 of Michigan's Mental Health Code by making several gender-neutral language modifications and clarifying definitions related to mental health services. The bill revises definitions for terms such as "insurance coverage" and "parents," replacing gendered language like "father and mother" with more inclusive terminology like "legal parents." It also makes minor grammatical adjustments, such as changing "the provision of" to "providing" and modifying references to pronouns and articles (e.g., changing "any" to "a" and "their" to "the participants'"). The definitions cover key concepts in mental health service delivery, including "ability to pay," "cost of services," "individual," "inpatient services," "insurance benefits," "nonresidential services," and "responsible party." Importantly, the bill is contingent on a related constitutional amendment, as specified in the enacting section, meaning it will only take effect if a corresponding joint resolution passes and becomes part of the state constitution. The changes appear intended to modernize the language of the Mental Health Code to be more inclusive and precise.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4608