This bill establishes a scholarship program in Michigan to help individuals who failed their social worker licensing exam on their first attempt cover the costs of retaking it. The program is designed to support people who want to become licensed bachelor's or master's social workers and are required to work in health professional shortage areas or with medically underserved populations after receiving the scholarship. Eligible candidates can receive up to $1,000 for exam-related expenses, including registration fees, study materials, and related costs like transportation or childcare, provided they submit proof of residency and a commitment to work in designated areas. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will manage the program, maintain a dedicated state fund for the scholarships, and publish annual reports on the number of recipients and their exam passage rates.
SB 785 amends Michigan's school aid law to allocate $200 million from the state school aid fund and $1.6 million from the general fund for the 2025-2026 school year to support free breakfast and lunch programs. It requires participating public and nonpublic schools (serving pre-K through 12th grade) to provide meals at no cost to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and implement policies to determine student eligibility. The bill covers the gap between federal meal reimbursement rates and actual costs, including additional funding for the Great Start Readiness Program. Schools must also offer dietary accommodations (like gluten-free meals) and prioritize Michigan-sourced food where practical.
SB 784 creates a statewide program providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students in grades pre-K through 12, plus students up to age 26 enrolled in special education programs (including the Michigan School for the Deaf). Participating schools must join the federal National School Lunch Program, offer meals at no cost to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision, and forgive any outstanding meal debt. The bill also requires schools to accommodate documented dietary needs due to disabilities and encourages policies to help families complete income forms for eligibility. This policy changes existing meal programs by making them universal for eligible students without requiring individual income verification.
HB 4870 creates a state program to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students in grades pre-K through 12, as well as students up to age 26 in special education programs. Participating schools must already be in the federal National School Lunch Program and offer meals at no cost to every student, while maximizing federal funding through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The bill requires schools to accommodate documented medical dietary needs on a case-by-case basis and encourages offering religiously appropriate meals that meet federal nutrition standards. It also mandates schools to simplify income forms for families to help determine eligibility for other federal benefits.
SB 83 allocates $30 million from the state school aid fund and $20 million from the educator fellowship fund for the 2024-2025 school year to create a stipend program for student teachers in Michigan. Eligible student teachers must be enrolled in approved teacher training programs, working in a school district or qualifying public preschool program, and not yet employed as a full teacher. The program provides up to $9,600 per semester directly to student teachers through their training programs, with priority given to those receiving Pell Grants if funds are limited. This affects student teachers pursuing certification and their educator preparation programs, aiming to support their classroom experience during training.
SB 164 is a procedural appropriations bill that allocates funding for Michigan's fictional "Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential" for fiscal year 2025-2026. It provides a total of $756.2 million, including $670.8 million for early childhood education programs (like child care licensing and Head Start), $11.8 million for higher education initiatives (including student financial aid), and $60 million for one-time programs like college support services. The funding comes primarily from the state general fund, with additional support from federal and private sources. This bill does not create new policies or affect specific individuals - it simply authorizes how existing state funds will be spent on these education-related services.
HB 4873 mandates annual state funding of $610 million for Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), beginning in fiscal year 2026. This program provides early childhood education and care for preschool-aged children, primarily affecting low-income families and communities with limited access to early learning services. The bill requires the legislature to appropriate this specific amount each year, guaranteeing stable funding for GSRP as defined under existing law (MCL 388.1632d). It does not create new eligibility rules but ensures consistent financial support for the existing program.
HB 4871 increases Michigan's funding for free school meals, allocating up to $200 million for the 2024-2025 school year to cover costs not reimbursed by federal programs. It requires participating public schools (serving pre-K-12) to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and collect family income data to determine eligibility. Schools must also offer accommodations for dietary needs like gluten-free, vegetarian, and allergy-specific meals upon request. This bill directly affects Michigan public school districts by changing how they receive state funding to support universal free meal programs.
