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House committee advances bills to require licensing for guardians and conservators
Summary
The House Families and Veterans Committee voted to report HB 4727, HB 4728 (as an H-1 substitute) and HB 4729 to the full House, advancing legislation that would require licensing for guardians and conservators. A public witness urged additional bonding and accountability for probate judges.
The House Families and Veterans Committee voted to report three bills — HB 4727, HB 4728 (as amended by an H‑1 substitute) and HB 4729 — to the full House, advancing legislation that would require guardians and conservators to be licensed.
Supporters and a public witness told the committee the measures aim to address exploitation and gaps in oversight for people under guardianship. Jason Lukowski of AARP of Michigan and Rebecca Master of the Michigan Catholic Conference were recorded on supporter cards for the bills. Roslyn Harris, a Kent County resident and guardianship reform advocate, urged additional safeguards during public comment.
Harris testified that the bills are a step toward reform but said bonding requirements should be added to guarantee restitution for wards in cases of exploitation. “Requiring bonding ensures guaranteed restitution for the ward,” Harris said. She also told the committee she had concerns about probate judges and enforcement by the Judicial Tenure Commission, saying the system remains broken until judges are held to standards and deviations from appointing family members are clearly justified.
Committee members moved and voted to forward the bills. The committee adopted an H‑1 substitute for HB 4728 that, according to the committee, addresses a technical issue related to license fees and ensures compliance with existing occupational code requirements. That substitute was adopted by roll call before the committee voted to report HB 4728 to the floor with recommendation.
Votes at a glance: - HB 4727 — Reported to the floor with recommendation. Roll-call result reported as 7 yeas, 0 nays, 3 passed. - HB 4728 (H‑1 substitute adopted) — H‑1 substitute adopted by roll call (reported as 8 yeas, 0 nays). The bill as amended was reported to the floor with recommendation (reported as 7 yeas, 0 nays, 3 passed). - HB 4729 — Reported to the floor with recommendation. Roll-call result reported as 7 yeas, 0 nays, 3 passed.
There were no recorded motions directing staff to prepare additional drafts or to seek fiscal notes on the record during the proceedings captured in the transcript. The committee chair closed the meeting after the votes and announced the bills would be sent to the House floor with the committee's recommendations.
