It’s the law — Michigan

The first of a series of posts examining the law and surrogacy. 

In America’s Oven Mitt, the great state of Michigan, it’s the law:

A woman isn’t allowed to cut her own hair without her husband’s permission.

It is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday.

No person shall throw an abandoned hoop skirt into any street or on any sidewalk, under penalty of a five- dollar fine for each offense.

It is illegal to paint sparrows to sell them as parakeets.

And finally in Rochester, MI:

All bathing suits must have been inspected by the head of police.

Not quite as pervy, but every bit as ridiculous: Michigan’s view on Gestational Surrogacy. The contractual arrangement that Michelle has with the IPs is expressly outlawed in this backward state. In fact, if we lived in the Wolverine State, Michelle could be sitting in a jail cell. (Orange maternity wear?)

While the half abandoned cities of Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and others smoulder in economic ruin, the state government has been very busy inserting itself into surrogacy arrangement. Michigan has one of the strictest laws prohibiting surrogacy contracts, not only holding them unenforceable, but also imposing fines and jail time on anyone who enters into such a contract (up to five years and $50,000 for some).