MICHIGAN MARRIAGE AND FATHERHOOD COMMISSION ACT
House Bill 5545
Sponsor: Rep. Doug Hart
Committee: Family and Children Services
Complete to 1-8-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5545 AS INTRODUCED 12-21-01
The bill would create a new act to establish the Marriage and Fatherhood Commission within the Legislative Council. The duties of the commission would include encouraging the study and review of the status of marriage and fatherhood in the state; gathering information pertaining to how society can create an environment for a healthy marriage; studying best marriage-strengthening practices; strengthening family relationships and a child's home life by directing attention to critical problems in marriage and fatherhood; recommending resources for counseling, assistance, and instruction pertaining to healthy marriages and successful parenting; identifying community resources available to parents or children of divorced or separated parents; promoting marriage and parenting education courses; promoting strategies that foster a healthy, positive, and caring family relationship; and implementing ways to increase the awareness of the importance of marriage and fatherhood.
The commission would submit an annual report to the legislature, and issue recommendations based on its studies and identification of state policies that impede a healthy, positive, and caring family interaction. The commission would not have the authority to promulgate rules.
The President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, governor, and state supreme court chief of staff would each appoint three members to the commission. Each member would serve for a term of five years. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy would serve the balance of the unexpired term. The legislative council would appoint a director of the commission.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.