HB 5081 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education: special education; at least 1 teacher trained in Orton-Gillingham approach principles; require each school district to employ. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1253.

HB 5081 requires Michigan school districts, intermediate districts, and public school academies to employ at least one teacher trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach by the 2026-2027 school year to support students with dyslexia. This teacher must have completed training meeting International Dyslexia Association standards, which emphasizes multisensory reading instruction through phonemic awareness, phonics, and structured skill-building. Schools must also ensure these teachers receive at least 10 hours of annual professional development focused on dyslexia support. The bill directly affects all public school entities in Michigan and aims to improve specialized reading instruction for students with dyslexia.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Sep 26, 2025 Last action Jun 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute (H-1) As Passed by the House · 2 edits · Jun 18, 2026
MINOR
The bill was reformatted from a 'Substitute' version to the version 'As Passed by the House,' which includes a new requirement for ongoing professional development. While the initial training requirement for dyslexia specialists remains the same, the House version adds a mandate that these teachers receive at least 10 hours of annual professional learning specifically focused on assisting pupils with dyslexia. The definitions for the Orton-Gillingham approach were also slightly rephrased for clarity but retain the same core meaning.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's requirements was expanded to include an annual continuing education obligation for the specific dyslexia specialists mentioned in the bill.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that dyslexia specialists must receive at least 10 hours of professional learning per year on assisting pupils with dyslexia.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the text from a substitute draft to the final House version, including minor phrasing adjustments in the definitions section.

Floor votes · House Jun 18, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Jun 23, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
upper
Jun 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
upper
Jun 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #229 Yeas 66 Nays 40 Excused 0 Not Voting 4
lower
Jun 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
substitute (H-1) adopted
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Sep 26, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Education and Workforce
lower
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Kathy Schmaltz
lower
1 primary · 29 co-sponsors

Sponsors