Michigan House Bill HB4053

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

Records: birth; requirement to register a mother’s husband on birth certificate; eliminate. Amends sec. 2824 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2824).

Impact

If enacted, HB4053 would clarify the rules surrounding whose name can appear on a child’s birth certificate, particularly emphasizing the mother’s role in consenting to the acknowledgment of the father. This amendment seeks not to impose an obligation on mothers to register fathers against their wishes. It symbolizes a shift towards recognizing the mother's authority and represents progress in the discussion of parental rights and responsibilities in situations that involve unmarried couples or assisted reproductive technologies.

Summary

House Bill 4053 aims to amend section 2824 of the Public Health Code in Michigan, specifically regarding the registration protocol for a child's father on the birth certificate. The bill proposes that if the mother was unmarried at the time of conception or birth, the father's name should not be entered on the birth certificate without the mother's written consent and completion of an acknowledgment of parentage. This change intends to streamline the process of determining parental rights while also respecting the mother's autonomy in deciding parentage.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention surrounding the implementation of these amendments, primarily balancing the rights of fathers to be recognized and the rights of mothers to make decisions regarding their children. Advocates may argue for greater protections for the rights of parents, particularly for fathers who may seek acknowledgment and responsibility despite non-marital circumstances. Furthermore, there could be concerns regarding how these changes will affect children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies, ensuring that legal protections are maintained for all parties involved.