Legislation from state Rep. Jamie Thompson protecting Michigan families and ensuring they don’t have to fight through outdated laws in one of life’s most sensitive moments was advanced today by the Michigan House.

Under current law, when a person becomes incapacitated without a medical power of attorney in place, Michigan families are often left to navigate complex and time-consuming legal processes – including court petitions for guardianship – before they can make urgent medical decisions for a loved one. In some situations, these delays can have profound and tragic ramifications.

Thompson’s House Bill 4418 is part of a bipartisan plan creating a clear, compassionate and practical process for health care decisions when no advance directive is in place by establishing a patient surrogate through Next-of-kin. This process traditionally involves a closest living blood relative, but how that’s determined can often become a legal matter that can be drawn out instead of dictated clearly through family history.

“This plan ensures that the people closest to us – our spouses, our children, our parents – can act without delay or conflict,” said Thompson, of Brownstown, when addressing the legislation on the House floor. “It also provides important protections for health care providers who act in good faith, while holding bad actors accountable. Most importantly, it spares families from needless court battles in moments when they should be focused only on their loved ones. Compassion and dignity should matter more than bureaucracy.”

Thompson noted the plan does not override a Durable Power of Attorney, which will hold precedent when those arrangements have been made.

“When those arrangements haven’t been made, these bills will ensure families are not left stranded in the middle of crisis,” Thompson said. “I know this issue personally. When my father passed away, my family and I were confronted with a legal system that gave us no clear path, no immediate authority and no peace. Instead of being able to simply grieve, we were forced to navigate confusion and red tape. That is a pain I will never forget and one I do not want another Michigan family to endure.”

The bills, HBs 4418-19 and HB 4734, received unanimous support in House votes and now move to the Senate for consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Jamie Thompson speaks on House Bill 4418 at the state Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 18.