Bill > HB4616

This bill updates Michigan's marriage laws to use gender-neutral language and remove gender-specific terminology in sections of the state's 1846 Revised Statutes related to marriage. Specifically, the bill modifies three key sections: Section 2 changes the definition of marriage from being between "a man and a woman" to being between "2 parties", while maintaining that marriage is a civil contract requiring legal consent, licensing, and solemnization. Section 3 revises the list of prohibited marriage relationships, replacing gendered language like "man" and "wife" with neutral terms like "individual" and "spouse" while keeping the same prohibitions on marrying close relatives. Section 9 updates the marriage solemnization requirements, again using gender-neutral language, and maintains the existing requirements that couples must declare their marriage in front of witnesses and have at least two witnesses present during the ceremony. The bill is tied to a constitutional amendment and will only take effect if the related joint resolution passes. The changes appear intended to modernize the language of marriage laws to be more inclusive and gender-neutral while preserving the fundamental legal structure of marriage in Michigan.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4616