This bill establishes the Michigan Voting and Elections Database and Institute, a new entity designed to collect, archive, and make election data publicly available at no cost. The institute will be created through an agreement between the Secretary of State and public research universities, with the university selecting the director and assuming responsibility for most operating costs. Key provisions include the centralization of precinct-level election results, voter registration lists, polling place locations, and demographic estimates, which must be maintained for at least 12 years before permanent archival. The institute will also offer research opportunities, training classes, and technical assistance to local governments and the public while implementing rigorous cybersecurity standards for the data it holds.
Senate Bill 963 creates the Language Assistance for Elections Act to require Michigan local governments to provide election materials in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. The law mandates that counties, cities, and townships must offer translated ballots, voting instructions, and signage if their population includes a specific number of voters who share a single non-English language. The Secretary of State will publish a list of affected jurisdictions and languages annually, while also providing certified translations and electronic voting systems to ensure accuracy. Local governments will be reimbursed for additional costs associated with implementing these translation and testing requirements.
This bill modifies Michigan's school code to strengthen reading instruction by requiring the state education department to approve specific screening assessments and develop a formal literacy coach model. The legislation mandates that literacy coaches support teachers in using evidence-based strategies for decoding and word recognition while explicitly prohibiting them from performing administrative duties or holding regular classroom teaching assignments. Additionally, the bill directs the department to provide technical assistance on Individual Reading Improvement Plans, establish dyslexia expertise by September 2025, and update dyslexia resource guides every five years. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, and educators by setting new standards for reading assessment, intervention, and professional support roles.
This bill requires Michigan school districts and public academies to adopt elementary reading curricula from a list approved by the state education department. To support this goal, the legislation mandates that the department approve specific reading assessments designed to monitor student progress while minimizing disruptions to instructional time. Additionally, the bill outlines detailed duties for district literacy coaches, ensuring they focus on evidence-based reading instruction and data analysis rather than administrative tasks. These changes aim to help more third-grade students achieve proficient scores on state English language arts assessments through structured curriculum adoption and targeted teacher support.
This bill requires teacher preparation programs in Michigan to include specific training on the science of reading and dyslexia by September 2027. Programs preparing educators for reading, language arts, special education, or school psychology roles must teach evidence-based methods grounded in structured literacy for students with dyslexia and for the general student population. The legislation also mandates that all teacher training programs cover the characteristics of dyslexia, its secondary effects on learning and behavior, and how to use multi-tiered support systems in classrooms. If a program does not focus on these specific subject areas, the state department may grant a waiver for some requirements, provided the waiver is reviewed every two years.
HB 5934 amends Michigan's construction code to set strict deadlines for building permit decisions, requiring agencies to approve, deny, or partially grant applications within 10 business days, or 15 days for unusually complex projects. If an agency misses these deadlines, the bill treats the delay as an automatic denial, allowing the applicant to immediately appeal to a board of appeals. Additionally, the legislation mandates that if the state department fails to make a permit decision within the required timeframe, it must reimburse the applicant for the permit fees they paid.
This bill establishes a strict 10-business-day deadline for Michigan building departments to review and decide on construction permit applications, extending that limit to 15 days only for unusually complicated projects. If a department fails to make a decision within these timeframes, the law treats the silence as a denial, allowing the applicant to immediately appeal to a board. Additionally, the bill prevents departments from requesting new or additional changes to an application after the initial review period has expired, ensuring applicants are not subjected to endless delays. These rules apply to all types of building permits, including those for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
This bill proposes changes to Michigan's construction code to clarify the procedures for modifying building permits after they have been issued. It allows building permit holders to request changes while ensuring that the department can only require additional modifications directly related to those specific requests. The legislation includes a ten-day deadline for the department to notify permit holders of any required changes and prevents the need to restart the entire application process. Because the bill is tied to another piece of legislation, it will only take effect if that companion bill is also passed into law.
This bill updates Michigan's construction code to set strict deadlines for state and local agencies reviewing building permit applications. Agencies must now decide on permit requests within 10 business days, or 15 days for unusually complex projects, with failure to meet these deadlines automatically treating the application as denied. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to explain the reasons for any denial and mandates that incomplete applications be addressed within seven days or treated as complete.
This bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to update rules for speed limits and enforcement in school zones. It clarifies definitions for school zones and adjusts the timing of when lower speed limits must be enforced, expanding the window before and after school sessions to 60 minutes instead of 30. The legislation also allows school superintendents to set additional enforcement periods for times like off-campus lunch and field trips, while maintaining a minimum speed limit of 25 mph in these zones. Additionally, it permits the use of digital signs and flashing lights to display school zone speed limits and requires specific signage for year-round schools.
This bill requires Michigan's department of health and human services to place children in residential treatment programs within 14 days when a court orders such placement. It directly affects children involved in the state's child welfare system and the agencies responsible for their care. The law adds a specific timeline to existing statutes, ensuring faster action on court-ordered treatment plans. This change aims to reduce delays in getting children into appropriate care settings.
HB 5511 would allow courts to delay officially recording a conviction (entry of judgment) until sentencing occurs, under specific conditions. This applies when the prosecutor agrees after consulting the victim, and either the court finds good cause to delay or the defendant enters a specialty rehabilitation program. The bill does not apply to certain traffic offenses involving vehicle operation (even if felony/misdemeanor) or convictions already eligible for delayed sentencing under other laws. The delay mechanism aims to support rehabilitation efforts while ensuring victims are consulted, but the bill requires another related bill (HB 5510) to pass first.
