Education

in committee · Michigan · House Dec 17, 2025

HB 5363: Education: curriculum; parental opt-out option for instruction in sex education; require. Amends sec. 1507 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1507).

HB 5363 requires Michigan public schools to notify parents in advance if their child’s class covers topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationships, and allows parents to opt their child out without penalty. It mandates that schools form parent-led advisory boards (with at least half non-school-employed parents) to review curriculum and report on program goals. The bill also requires public hearings before changing sex education materials and emphasizes abstinence as a primary method for preventing pregnancy and STDs. This directly affects public school students, parents/guardians, and school districts in Michigan.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts sex education curriculum via parental opt-out, advisory boards, and abstinence emphasis, limiting comprehensive content coverage in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 5364: Education: other; revision to state academic standards; require approval of the legislature for. Amends sec. 1278 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278).

HB 5364 requires Michigan's state board of education to obtain legislative approval - via a concurrent resolution from both the state Senate and House - before revising the state's recommended academic curriculum standards. The bill directly affects school districts, the state board, and legislators by preventing changes to standards without formal legislative consent. Key provisions include prohibiting standards from including "attitudes, beliefs, or value systems" unrelated to academic learning, while maintaining existing requirements for standards covering subjects like history (including genocide education) and assessments focused solely on academic skills. The bill does not alter current standards but changes the process for future updates. It is currently pending in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts curriculum changes by requiring legislative approval and banning non-academic content, limiting state board autonomy over standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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passed · Michigan · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 5358: Education: teachers and administrators; teacher licensing examination requirements; provide for. Amends sec. 1531 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531).

HB 5358 modifies Michigan's teacher licensing requirements. It requires teachers seeking professional certification to complete a 3-credit course on diagnosing and supporting students with reading disabilities, including specific tools and strategies. The bill also creates streamlined pathways for out-of-state teachers to obtain Michigan certification if they've taught successfully for at least 3 years in their previous state, waiving some exam and reading course requirements. These changes directly affect teachers, school districts, and teacher preparation programs by altering certification standards and reciprocity processes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires reading disability training for teachers and streamlines certification for experienced educators, strengthening teacher qualifications and access to licensure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 31, 2025

HB 5427: Education: other; virtual instruction days; allow. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1284c. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5428'25

This bill limits Michigan school districts to 15 virtual instruction days per school year, counting these days as regular school days for funding and attendance purposes. It permits virtual learning only for emergencies, student testing days, or teacher training (capped at 30 hours yearly). School districts must get board approval and notify students' families before implementing virtual days. The bill directly affects public school districts and their scheduling decisions for remote learning.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts virtual learning days to 15 annually, limiting district flexibility in remote instruction programs and capping teacher training hours.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 4842: Vehicles: driver training; instructor of a driver education instructor preparation course; modify requirements to become. Amends sec. 23 of 2006 PA 384 (MCL 256.643).

HB 4842 updates Michigan's requirements for driver education instructor training programs. It mandates that approved programs must include exactly four specific courses covering driver task analysis, classroom development, vehicle skills, and practicum, with each course requiring at least 2 semester hours and 3 weeks of instruction. The bill also sets detailed qualifications for instructors, requiring either a master's degree in education or 1,500 classroom hours, 500 behind-the-wheel hours, and 3.5 years of teaching experience. These changes directly affect colleges, universities, and training providers seeking approval to offer instructor preparation programs, as well as individuals pursuing driver education instructor certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific courses and qualifications for driver education instructors, strengthening curriculum standards within K-12 education programs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates driver training requirements to enhance road safety through standardized instructor qualifications and course structure, directly strengthening vehicle regulation standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 4, 2025

HB 5177: Worker's compensation: other; definition of employee; modify to include certain performances of service. Amends sec. 161 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.161).

HB 5177 expands Michigan's workers' compensation coverage to include specific volunteer roles by amending the definition of "employee" in the Worker's Disability Compensation Act. It directly affects on-call members of volunteer underwater diving teams, safety patrol officers (including school volunteers), volunteer civil defense workers, and on-call members of life support agencies who are injured while performing duties - whether paid or unpaid. The bill ensures these volunteers receive full workers' compensation benefits, including wage replacement calculated using the state average weekly wage at the time of injury. This change extends existing protections to these volunteer groups without altering their status as non-employees under other laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExplicitly includes school volunteers (safety patrol) in workers' comp coverage, protecting them during school duties, thus supporting educational volunteer safety and environment.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation coverage to include volunteer roles, ensuring injury benefits for previously excluded groups like safety patrol officers and civil defense workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5248: State management: other; state financing of activities or services required of local units of government; provide for. Implements sec. 29, art. IX of the state constitution & repeals 1979 PA 101 (MCL 21.231 - 21.244).

HB 5248, titled the "Headlee unfunded mandates prohibition act," requires the state to fully finance costs for local governments when mandated by state law to provide new or expanded services. It defines "state requirement" as a new or increased service beyond existing law, excluding trivial costs (under $300 per claim) or situations where the mandate offsets existing costs. The bill directly affects cities, counties, school districts, and other local units of government by ensuring the state covers these mandated expenses rather than leaving them to local budgets. Key provisions include requiring state agencies to calculate and fund "necessary costs" for mandated activities, while exempting minor or offsetting cost mandates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state to fully finance local government mandates, preventing unfunded costs and promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state funding for school district mandates, preventing unfunded costs and supporting education budgets per bill's application to school districts.90% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 61: Children: child care; requirement for installation of filtration systems in child care centers and schools; exempt if child care center or school does not test positive for lead. Amends secs. 3i & 3j of 1973 PA 116 (MCL 722.113i & 722.113j).

SB 61 requires Michigan child care centers to implement drinking water safety protocols. Centers must create a management plan detailing water outlets (including filtered vs. unfiltered sources), test water for lead every two years, and respond to results: replace filters immediately for low lead levels (1-5 ppb), shut off water and report for higher levels (>5 ppb), and notify parents. Centers only need to install filtration if testing detects lead, as the law focuses on testing and response, not mandatory filtration. This applies to all licensed child care centers in Michigan, with key deadlines of January 2025 for plans and October 2025 for full compliance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates lead testing and response protocols in schools for drinking water safety, directly supporting school infrastructure and student health as a foundational element of educational access.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 17, 2025

HB 4958: Military affairs: other; tuition assistance for national guard members; modify. Amends secs. 3 & 4 of 2014 PA 259 (MCL 32.433 & 32.434). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4953'25

HB 4958 modifies Michigan's National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to expand eligibility and adjust fund management. It allows Michigan National Guard members and their eligible family members (spouses or dependent children who graduated high school or turned 18) to use tuition benefits, requiring the adjutant general to approve applications based on fund availability. The bill sets a $15 million cap on the tuition assistance fund balance, with excess funds lapsing to the general fund or transferring to a separate benefits fund by 2025. It also clarifies that members who withdraw from courses without completing them must repay the fund unless deployment prevented completion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education financial aid access for National Guard members and families, directly increasing educational opportunity through tuition assistance program enhancements.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition benefits to National Guard members and their families, directly advancing educational support for veterans' families under military affairs legislation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 485: Taxation: specific tax; application of tax reverted property specific tax to certain tax delinquent property sold or otherwise conveyed by a foreclosing governmental unit; provide for. Amends secs. 4 & 5 of 2003 PA 260 (MCL 211.1024 & 211.1025). TIE BAR WITH: SB 484'25

SB 485 creates a new tax on properties sold by government units (like cities or counties) after tax foreclosure. It applies to owners of these "reverted" properties, requiring them to pay a tax calculated as if the property were subject to regular property taxes. Revenue from the tax is split: 50% goes to local taxing units (like school districts), and 50% to the government authority that sold the property. The bill also specifies that properties in designated Renaissance Zones are partially exempt from this tax, with certain portions still distributed to the relevant taxing units.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new tax revenue split 50/50 to local taxing units (e.g., schools) and selling government, directly funding public services through tax collection.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports Education50% of tax revenue from foreclosed properties goes to local taxing units (including school districts), directly increasing school funding without explicit education policy changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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