Text of MI HB 5300 (2024)

HOUSE BILL NO. 5300 A bill to amend 1939 PA 288, entitled "Probate code of 1939," by amending sections 1 and 3 of chapter XI (MCL 711.1 and 711.3), section 1 as amended by 2020 PA 40 and section 3 as added by 2000 PA 111. the people of the state of michigan enact: CHAPTER XI Sec. 1. (1) The family division of the circuit court for a county may enter an order to change the name of an individual who has been a resident of the county for not less than 1 year, and who in accordance with subsection (2) petitions in writing to the court for that purpose, showing and shows that a sufficient reason for the proposed change exists and that the change is not sought with a fraudulent intent. If the individual who petitions for a name change petitioner has a criminal record, the individual is presumed to be seeking a name change with a fraudulent intent. The burden of proof is on a petitioner who has a criminal record to rebut the presumption. including, but not limited to, a charge pending against the petitioner, the petitioner shall include the criminal record in the petition. If the petitioner does not have a criminal record, the petitioner shall state, in the petition, that the petitioner does not have a criminal record. The court shall set a time and place for hearing and, or, except as provided in subsection (6), enter the order without hearing. Except as provided in section 3 of this chapter, the court shall also order publication as provided by supreme court rule. (2) An individual who is 22 years of age or older and who petitions to have his or her name changed shall have 2 complete sets of his or her fingerprints taken at a local police agency. The fingerprints, along with a copy of the petition and the required processing fees, must be forwarded to the department of state police. The department of state police shall compare those fingerprints with its records and shall forward a complete set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a comparison with the records available to that agency. The department of state police shall report to the court in which the petition is filed the information contained in the department's records with respect to any pending charges against the petitioner or a record of conviction of the petitioner and shall report to the court similar information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If there are no pending charges or record of conviction against the petitioner, the department of state police shall destroy its copy of the petitioner's fingerprints. The court shall not act upon the petition for a name change until the department of state police reports the information required by this subsection to the court. (2) (3) If the court enters an order to change the name of an individual who has a criminal record, the court shall forward the order to the central records division of the department of state police and to 1 or more all of the following, as applicable: (a) The department of corrections, if the individual named in the order is in prison or on parole or has been imprisoned or released from parole in the immediately preceding 2 years. (b) The sheriff of the county in which the individual named in the order was last convicted, if the individual was incarcerated in a county jail or released from a county jail within the immediately preceding 2 years. (c) The court that has jurisdiction over the individual named in the order, if the individual named in the order is under the jurisdiction of the family division of the circuit court or has been discharged from the jurisdiction of that court within the immediately preceding 2 years. (3) (4) The court may permit an individual having that has the same name, or a similar name, to that which the petitioner proposes to assume, to intervene in the proceeding for the purpose of showing to show fraudulent intent. (4) (5) Except as provided in subsection (7), (6), if the a petitioner under this section is a minor, the petition must be signed by the mother and father minor's parents, jointly; by the surviving parent, if 1 parent is deceased; if both parents are deceased, by the guardian of the minor; or by 1 of the minor's parents, if there is only 1 legal parent with legal custody available to give consent. If either parent has been declared mentally incompetent, the petition may be signed by the guardian for that parent. The If the minor is 14 years of age or older, written consent to the minor's name change of name of a minor 14 years of age or older, must be signed by the minor in the presence of the court, must be and filed with the court before an order changing to change the name of the minor is entered, but the minor is not required to sign the consent in the presence of the court. If the court considers the child minor to be of sufficient age to express a preference, the court shall consult a the minor, under if the minor is less than 14 years of age, as to a change in his or her the minor's name, and the court shall consider the minor's wishes. (5) (6) If the a petitioner under this section is married, the court, in its order changing to change the name of the petitioner, may include the name of the spouse, if the spouse consents, and may include the names of minor children of the petitioner of whom the petitioner has legal custody. The If a minor described in this subsection is 14 years of age or older, written consent to the minor's name change of name of a child 14 years of age or older, must be signed by the child in the presence of the court, must be minor and filed with the court before the court includes that child the minor in its order, but the minor is not required to sign the consent in the presence of the court. Except as provided in subsection (7), the name of a minor under (6), if a minor described in this subsection is less than 14 years of age, may the minor's name must not be changed unless he or she the minor is the a natural or adopted child of the petitioner and unless consent is obtained from the mother and father minor's parents, jointly; , from the surviving parent, if 1 parent is deceased; , or from 1 of the minor's parents, if there is only 1 legal parent with legal custody available to give consent. If the court considers the child minor to be of sufficient age to express a preference, the court shall consult a the minor, under if the minor is less than 14 years of age, as to a change in his or her the minor's name, and the court shall consider the minor's wishes. (6) (7) The name of a minor may be changed pursuant to under subsection (5) (4) or (6) (5) with the consent or signature of the custodial parent upon notice to the noncustodial parent as provided in supreme court rule and after a hearing in any of the following circumstances: (a) If both of the following occur: (i) The other parent, having the ability to support or assist in supporting the child, minor, has failed or neglected to provide regular and substantial support for the child minor or, if a support order has been entered, has failed to substantially comply with the order, for 2 years or more before the filing of the petition. (ii) The other parent, having the ability to visit, contact, or communicate with the child, minor, has regularly and substantially failed or neglected to do so for 2 years or more before the filing of the petition. (b) The other parent has been convicted of a violation of section 136b, 520b, 520c, 520d, 520e, or 520g of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136b, 750.520b to 750.520e, and 750.520g, and the child minor or a sibling of the child minor is a victim of the crime. (c) The other parent has been convicted of a violation of section 316 or 317 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.316 and 750.317. (7) (8) A false statement that is intentionally included within in a petition for a name change constitutes perjury under section 422 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.422. Sec. 3. (1) In a proceeding under section 1 of this chapter, all of the following apply: (a) If the court receives a petition that shows good cause, the court may must order for good cause that no publication of the proceeding take place and that the record of the proceeding be confidential. Good cause under this section includes, but is not limited to, evidence that publication or availability of a record of the proceeding could place the petitioner or another individual in physical danger, such as evidence that the petitioner or another individual has been the victim of stalking or an assaultive crime. (b) (2) Evidence under subsection (1) of the possibility of physical danger must include the petitioner's or the endangered individual's sworn statement stating the reason for the fear of physical danger if A petition that shows good cause must state the reason or reasons why the petitioner or the endangered individual fears the publication or availability of the record is published or otherwise available. If evidence is offered of stalking or an assaultive crime, of the proceeding, and the court must presume that a petition shows good cause if any of the following reasons are included in the statement: (i) The petitioner or the endangered individual is a victim of an assaultive crime, domestic violence, harassment, human trafficking, or stalking. (ii) The petitioner or the endangered individual seeks to affirm their gender identity. (c) The court shall not require proof of an arrest or prosecution for that crime to reach a finding of find that a petition shows good cause. under subsection (1). (2) (3) A court officer, employee, or agent who that divulges, uses, or publishes, beyond the scope of his or her the court officer's, employee's, or agent's duties with the court, information from a record made confidential under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. This subsection does not apply to a disclosure under a court order. (3) (4) A confidential record created under this section is exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246. (4) (5) As used in this section: , "stalking" (a) "Dating relationship" means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement. Dating relationship does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary fraternization between 2 individuals in a business or social context. (b) "Domestic violence" means the occurrence of any of the following acts by a person that is not an act of self-defense: (i) Causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a family or household member. (ii) Placing a family or household member in fear of physical or mental harm. (iii) Causing or attempting to cause a family or household member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress. (iv) Engaging in activity toward a family or household member that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested. (c) "Family or household member" includes any of the following: (i) A spouse or former spouse. (ii) An individual with whom the person resides or has resided. (iii) An individual with whom the person has or has had a dating relationship. (iv) An individual with whom the person is or has engaged in a sexual relationship. (v) An individual to whom the person is related or was formerly related by marriage. (vi) An individual with whom the person has a child in common. (vii) The minor child of an individual described in subparagraphs (i) to (vi). (d) "Gender identity" means an individual's gender-related self-identity, regardless of whether the self-identity is associated with the individual's assigned sex at birth. (e) "Good cause" includes, but is not limited to, evidence that the publication or availability of the record of a proceeding under section 1 of this chapter could place the petitioner or another individual in physical danger, at an increased likelihood of physical danger, or at risk of unlawful discrimination or retaliation. (f) "Human trafficking" means a violation of chapter LXVIIA of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.462a to 750.462h. (g) "Stalking" means that term as defined in sections 411h and to 411i of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.411h and to 750.411i.

Substitute For HOUSE BILL NO. 5300 A bill to amend 1939 PA 288, entitled "Probate code of 1939," by amending sections 1 and 3 of chapter XI (MCL 711.1 and 711.3), section 1 as amended by 2020 PA 40 and section 3 as added by 2000 PA 111. the people of the state of michigan enact: CHAPTER XI Sec. 1. (1) The family division of the circuit court for a county may enter an order to change the name of an individual who has been a resident of the county for not less than 1 year, and who in accordance with subsection (2) petitions in writing to the court for that purpose, showing and shows that a sufficient reason for the proposed change exists and that the change is not sought with a fraudulent intent. If the individual who petitions for a name change petitioner has a criminal record, the individual is presumed to be seeking a name change with a fraudulent intent. The burden of proof is on a petitioner who has a criminal record to rebut the presumption. The including, but not limited to, a charge pending against the petitioner, the petitioner shall include the criminal record in the petition. If the petitioner does not have a criminal record, the petitioner shall state, in the petition, that the petitioner does not have a criminal record. The court may use L.E.I.N. or ICHAT to determine whether there is a criminal record. The court shall bear any cost associated with the court's use of L.E.I.N. or ICHAT, not the petitioner. As used in this subsection: (a) "ICHAT" means the internet criminal history access tool maintained by the department of state police. (b) "L.E.I.N." means the law enforcement information network regulated under the C.J.I.S. policy council act, 1974 PA 163, MCL 28.211 to 28.215. (2) Except as provided in subsection (7), the court may, in its discretion, enter an order under this section with or without a hearing. If the court decides to proceed with a hearing, the court shall set a time and place for hearing. and, except Except as provided in section 3 of this chapter, the court shall also order publication as provided by supreme court rule. (2) An individual who is 22 years of age or older and who petitions to have his or her name changed shall have 2 complete sets of his or her fingerprints taken at a local police agency. The fingerprints, along with a copy of the petition and the required processing fees, must be forwarded to the department of state police. The department of state police shall compare those fingerprints with its records and shall forward a complete set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a comparison with the records available to that agency. The department of state police shall report to the court in which the petition is filed the information contained in the department's records with respect to any pending charges against the petitioner or a record of conviction of the petitioner and shall report to the court similar information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If there are no pending charges or record of conviction against the petitioner, the department of state police shall destroy its copy of the petitioner's fingerprints. The court shall not act upon the petition for a name change until the department of state police reports the information required by this subsection to the court. (3) If the court enters an order to change the name of an individual who has a criminal record, the court shall forward the order to the central records division of the department of state police and to 1 or more all of the following, as applicable: (a) The department of corrections, if the individual named in the order is in prison or on parole or has been imprisoned or released from parole in the immediately preceding 2 years. (b) The sheriff of the county in which the individual named in the order was last convicted, if the individual was incarcerated in a county jail or released from a county jail within the immediately preceding 2 years. (c) The court that has jurisdiction over the individual named in the order, if the individual named in the order is under the jurisdiction of the family division of the circuit court or has been discharged from the jurisdiction of that court within the immediately preceding 2 years. (4) The court may permit an individual having that has the same name, or a similar name, to that which the petitioner proposes to assume, to intervene in the proceeding for the purpose of showing to show fraudulent intent. (5) Except as provided in subsection (7), if the a petitioner under this section is a minor, the petition must be signed by the mother and father minor's parents, jointly; by the surviving parent, if 1 parent is deceased; if both parents are deceased, by the guardian of the minor; or by 1 of the minor's parents, if there is only 1 legal parent with legal custody available to give consent. If either parent has been declared mentally incompetent, the petition may be signed by the guardian for that parent. The If the minor is 14 years of age or older, written consent to the minor's name change of name of a minor 14 years of age or older, must be signed by the minor in the presence of the court, must be and filed with the court before an order changing to change the name of the minor is entered, but the minor is not required to sign the consent in the presence of the court. If the court considers the child minor to be of sufficient age to express a preference, the court shall consult a the minor, under if the minor is less than 14 years of age, as to a change in his or her the minor's name, and the court shall consider the minor's wishes. (6) If the a petitioner under this section is married, the court, in its order changing to change the name of the petitioner, may include the name of the spouse, if the spouse consents, and may include the names of minor children of the petitioner of whom the petitioner has legal custody. The If a minor described in this subsection is 14 years of age or older, written consent to the minor's name change of name of a child 14 years of age or older, must be signed by the child in the presence of the court, must be minor and filed with the court before the court includes that child the minor in its order, but the minor is not required to sign the consent in the presence of the court. Except as provided in subsection (7), the name of a minor under if a minor described in this subsection is less than 14 years of age, may the minor's name must not be changed unless he or she the minor is the a natural or adopted child of the petitioner and unless consent is obtained from the mother and father minor's parents, jointly; , from the surviving parent, if 1 parent is deceased; , or from 1 of the minor's parents, if there is only 1 legal parent with legal custody available to give consent. If the court considers the child minor to be of sufficient age to express a preference, the court shall consult a the minor, under if the minor is less than 14 years of age, as to a change in his or her the minor's name, and the court shall consider the minor's wishes. (7) The name of a minor may be changed pursuant to under subsection (5) or (6) with the consent or signature of the custodial parent upon notice to the noncustodial parent as provided in supreme court rule and after a hearing in any of the following circumstances: (a) If both of the following occur: (i) The other parent, having the ability to support or assist in supporting the child, minor, has failed or neglected to provide regular and substantial support for the child minor or, if a support order has been entered, has failed to substantially comply with the order, for 2 years or more before the filing of the petition. (ii) The other parent, having the ability to visit, contact, or communicate with the child, minor, has regularly and substantially failed or neglected to do so for 2 years or more before the filing of the petition. (b) The other parent has been convicted of a violation of section 136b, 520b, 520c, 520d, 520e, or 520g of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136b, 750.520b to 750.520e, and 750.520g, and the child minor or a sibling of the child minor is a victim of the crime. (c) The other parent has been convicted of a violation of section 316 or 317 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.316 and 750.317. (8) A false statement that is intentionally included within in a petition for a name change constitutes perjury under section 422 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.422. Sec. 3. (1) In a proceeding under section 1 of this chapter, all of the following apply: (a) If the court receives a petition that shows good cause, the court may must order for good cause that no publication of the proceeding take place and that the record of the proceeding be confidential. Good cause under this section includes, but is not limited to, evidence that publication or availability of a record of the proceeding could place the petitioner or another individual in physical danger, such as evidence that the petitioner or another individual has been the victim of stalking or an assaultive crime. (b) (2) Evidence under subsection (1) of the possibility of physical danger must include the petitioner's or the endangered individual's sworn statement stating the reason for the fear of physical danger if A petition that shows good cause must state the reason or reasons why the petitioner or the endangered individual fears the publication or availability of the record is published or otherwise available. If evidence is offered of stalking or an assaultive crime, of the proceeding, and the court must presume that a petition shows good cause if any of the following reasons are included in the statement: (i) The petitioner or the endangered individual is a victim of an assaultive crime, domestic violence, harassment, human trafficking, or stalking. (ii) The petitioner or the endangered individual seeks to affirm their gender identity. (c) The court shall not require proof of an arrest or prosecution for that crime to reach a finding of find that a petition shows good cause. under subsection (1). (2) (3) A court officer, employee, or agent who that divulges, uses, or publishes, beyond the scope of his or her the court officer's, employee's, or agent's duties with the court, information from a record made confidential under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. This subsection does not apply to a disclosure under a court order. (3) (4) A confidential record created under this section is exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246. (4) (5) As used in this section: , "stalking" (a) "Dating relationship" means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement. Dating relationship does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary fraternization between 2 individuals in a business or social context. (b) "Domestic violence" means the occurrence of any of the following acts by a person that is not an act of self-defense: (i) Causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a family or household member. (ii) Placing a family or household member in fear of physical or mental harm. (iii) Causing or attempting to cause a family or household member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress. (iv) Engaging in activity toward a family or household member that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested. (c) "Family or household member" includes any of the following: (i) A spouse or former spouse. (ii) An individual with whom the person resides or has resided. (iii) An individual with whom the person has or has had a dating relationship. (iv) An individual with whom the person is or has engaged in a sexual relationship. (v) An individual to whom the person is related or was formerly related by marriage. (vi) An individual with whom the person has a child in common. (vii) The minor child of an individual described in subparagraphs (i) to (vi). (d) "Gender identity" means an individual's gender-related self-identity, regardless of whether the self-identity is associated with the individual's assigned sex at birth. (e) "Good cause" includes, but is not limited to, evidence that the publication or availability of the record of a proceeding under section 1 of this chapter could place the petitioner or another individual in physical danger, at an increased likelihood of physical danger, or at risk of unlawful discrimination or retaliation. (f) "Human trafficking" means a violation of chapter LXVIIA of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.462a to 750.462h. (g) "Stalking" means that term as defined in sections 411h and to 411i of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.411h and to 750.411i.