MI HB4696

Removes the definition of "legal custodian" from the Guardianship Assistance Act

Redefines "relative" to include individuals at least 18 years old who are either related to the child within the fifth degree by blood, marriage, or adoption (including spouses of relatives, parents of half-siblings, and putative father's parents), or unrelated individuals with strong positive emotional ties to the child or child's parent

For Indian children, determination of non-blood relatives with emotional ties is made solely by the Indian child's tribe

Requires that individuals qualifying as relatives must be approved for foster care placement

Takes effect only if House Bill 4697 or its Senate companion bill is also enacted into law