Bill > HB4677

This bill amends the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code to enhance protections and alternatives for individuals potentially requiring guardianship. The bill introduces a new provision defining "supported decision-making" as a collaborative process where incapacitated individuals work with trusted friends, family, and professionals to help them understand situations and make their own decisions. When someone files a petition for guardianship, the court must now provide written information about alternatives to full guardianship, which now explicitly includes supported decision-making alongside existing options like limited guardianship, conservatorship, patient advocate designations, and power of attorney. The bill maintains existing requirements that petitions for guardianship must include specific facts about the individual's condition and recent conduct demonstrating the need for a guardian. Additionally, the bill preserves the existing requirement that the court appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the potentially incapacitated individual during proceedings if they do not have legal counsel of their own choice. These changes aim to preserve individual autonomy and provide more flexible, person-centered approaches to supporting individuals with potential incapacities.

Military Affairs and Security

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4677