Michigan House Bill 6407 requires most licensed health professionals to complete a department-determined number of hours in implicit bias training during the license cycle before applying for renewal. The mandated curriculum must cover trauma-informed care approaches and anti-stigma education regarding physical, cognitive, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health conditions. The state department is authorized to create rules to implement these requirements, while individuals licensed under a specific part of the public health code are exempt from this training mandate.
Michigan Senate Bill 1160 expands the Michigan Achievement Scholarship program by broadening eligibility to include students with a student aid index of 30,000 or less and extending coverage to independent nonprofit colleges, federally recognized tribal colleges, and specific postsecondary transition programs for young adults with disabilities. The bill establishes that scholarship amounts are calculated as "last-dollar" payments, meaning the state covers remaining tuition and fees after other gift aid is applied, with a guaranteed minimum payment of $2,500 for students at public universities or independent nonprofits. To ensure accountability, the legislation requires participating institutions to report on institutional grant aid levels and comply with strict tuition restraint measures, allowing the state budget director to revoke funding from schools that exceed tuition limits for two consecutive years.
Michigan Senate Bill 1185 amends the state school code to remove barriers that prevent children and youth experiencing homelessness from enrolling in and attending school. The bill requires local educational agencies to immediately enroll homeless students even if they lack standard documentation such as birth certificates, medical records, or proof of residency, with a designated homeless education liaison assisting in obtaining these documents later. It mandates that school districts provide free transportation to the student's "school of origin" for as long as they remain homeless, ensuring continuity of education and access to extracurricular activities. Additionally, the bill establishes a dispute resolution process that keeps students enrolled and transported while eligibility or placement issues are being resolved, and requires schools to report specific data on these students to state educational performance centers.
This bill amends Michigan's student loan program laws to clarify the legal status of notes and bonds issued by state universities. It explicitly declares that these financial instruments are negotiable under the Uniform Commercial Code, removing previous uncertainty about their classification. The change ensures that university-issued debt is treated consistently with other commercial paper for all purposes, subject only to specific registration requirements. This legislation will not take effect unless a related bill, HB 6347, is also enacted into law.
Michigan Senate Bill 1147 prohibits public school districts and charters from including critical race theory or the 1619 project in their curricula starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill also bans educators from compelling students to affirm that any race, sex, or ethnicity is inherently superior or inferior, or that individuals are responsible for past actions committed by others of the same group. To enforce these rules, the state Department of Education must identify non-compliant schools and withhold 5% of their state funding each year. Additionally, the department is required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing which schools violated the new curriculum restrictions and had funds withheld.
This resolution declares September 21-27, 2026, as Rail Safety Education Week in Michigan to raise public awareness about the dangers of railroad crossings. It cites statistics showing that train collisions cause significant injuries and fatalities nationally and within the state, emphasizing that railroad property is private and unauthorized entry poses serious risks. The bill encourages citizens to learn safety precautions and obey traffic laws near railways to help reduce avoidable accidents involving trains and people.
Michigan House Bill 6397 requires public and nonpublic schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students from pre-K through grade 12, funded by state allocations of up to $200 million for the 2026-2027 school year. To receive these funds, participating entities must participate in federal meal programs, maximize federal reimbursement rates, and forgive any existing student meal debt. The bill specifically mandates that schools provide plant-based meals that meet federal nutritional standards to any student who submits a prior request for such an option. Additionally, the legislation encourages schools to offer other dietary accommodations, such as gluten-free or kosher meals, and to purchase food from Michigan growers when practical.
This bill updates the Higher Education Loan Authority Act by clarifying that the authority and its bonds are exempt from state and local taxes. It also revises references to the Uniform Commercial Code to align with current Michigan Compiled Laws citations, ensuring the legal status of negotiable instruments remains accurate. The legislation directly affects the state's higher education loan authority by maintaining its tax-exempt status and bond negotiability. This bill will not take effect unless a related companion measure is also enacted into law.
Michigan House Bill 6292 establishes the Michigan Doctors in Underserved, Rural, and Systemic Equity Settings (MiDOCS) program within the state's Department of Health to address physician shortages in underserved communities. The bill requires the department to partner with medical schools to create at least one new primary care residency slot per school and to recruit physicians for these areas. In exchange for a two-year full-time service obligation in an assigned underserved community, the program provides participating physicians with loan repayment assistance paid annually upon completion of their service. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated state fund to finance the program and establishes an advisory commission composed of health sector representatives to guide its implementation and oversight.
Michigan House Bill 6294 creates a new individual income tax credit for health care professionals who serve as preceptors for student clinical rotations at approved state institutions. For tax years between 2027 and 2031, eligible preceptors can claim $1,000 for every 250 hours of supervision completed, with a maximum annual credit of $3,000. To qualify, the professional must not receive any other payment for their preceptor services and must submit certified documentation verifying their hours when filing their tax return. Any portion of the credit that exceeds the taxpayer's total tax liability for the year will be refunded to them.
