Committee advances bill to remove outdated racial term from Michigan insurance code

Lansing — The Michigan House Insurance Committee voted Feb. 20 to report House Bill 4666 with recommendation for passage, a bill that would remove the word "colored" from the Michigan insurance code and replace it with gender-neutral language such as "person" or "individual."

Representative Carter, identified in committee as the bill sponsor and the chamber’s minority vice chair, told members the change is a modernization that carries "great significance" because language in law reflects respect for all Michiganders. "The term colored is a relic of another era," Carter said, and "it does not belong in the 21st century Michigan code book."

Carter told the committee the statute containing the language was authored in 1956. She said the bill updates small penalties and that there is no fiscal impact or administrative burden.

Chair Harris said he appreciated the sponsor bringing the bill forward and that the committee planned to vote the bill out that day. The clerk called the roll after Representative Aragona moved to report the bill with a recommendation that it pass; the committee recorded 10 yeas, 0 nays and 0 passes.

Supporters were filed in the record; the chair read cards from Dyke Vancoovering of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan and Parker Fisher of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, both listed as supporting the bill.

House Bill 4666 was reported by the committee with recommendation for passage.