Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
VERIFIED STATEMENT IN CERTAIN CUSTODY CASES
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5998 as reported from committee
Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Young http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Families, Children and Seniors
Complete to 12-7-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5998 would amend the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act,
which governs procedures regarding child custody disputes that involve Michigan and parties
or proceedings (e.g., custody court orders) from outside of Michigan.
Among other things, the act requires each party in a child custody proceeding conducted under
the act to include certain information in its first pleading or in an attached sworn statement,
such as the child’s current address and the places where, and people with whom, the child has
lived during the last five years.
Currently, the information in the pleading or attached sworn statement must be given under
oath. The bill would remove the “under oath” requirement for both the pleading and the sworn
statement, but would require the sworn statement to be verified under Michigan Court Rules. 1
The bill also would amend a provision that, with an exception, requires the court to seal and
not disclose information if a party has alleged in a sworn statement or a pleading under oath
that disclosure of the information would endanger a party’s or child’s health, safety, or liberty.
The bill would require the sworn statement to be verified under Michigan Court Rules, and
would retain the requirement in this case that the pleading be made under oath.
MCL 722.1209
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 5998 would have no fiscal impact on the state and minimal fiscal impact, if any, on
local court funding units. The fiscal impact would depend on the extent to which there are
additional costs for verifying sworn statements.
POSITIONS:
A representative of the Office of Child Support testified in support of the bill, (11-12-24)
The following entities indicated support for the bill (11-12-24):
• Court Association
• Family Law of Michigan
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: Robin Risko
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
1
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-administrative-orders-and-jury-instructions/current-rules-and-
juryinstructions/michigan-court-rules/
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Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 722.1209
House Introduced Bill: 722.1209
As Passed by the House: 722.1209