HB 5032 amends Michigan's Revised School Code to prohibit using state school aid funds for special elections. It directly affects school districts and local governments that receive state school aid, preventing them from allocating those funds toward special election costs. The bill specifically amends Section 1361 of the School Code (MCL 380.1361) to add this restriction. This change clarifies that school aid funds must be used solely for educational purposes, not for election-related expenses.
HB 5049 requires Michigan public schools to ensure trained staff can administer epinephrine auto-injectors during allergic emergencies. Schools with 10+ staff must have at least two trained employees (or one for smaller schools), and all schools must maintain at least two epinephrine auto-injectors. The bill mandates school policies for safe administration (by nurses or trained staff), reporting of all epinephrine uses to the state, and allows school districts to seek state reimbursement for unfunded costs. It directly affects all public K-12 schools in Michigan and students with severe allergies. The bill is tied to five companion bills (HB 5050-5054) that must also pass.
HB 5054 modifies Michigan's school code to clarify protections for school staff administering epinephrine auto-injectors during emergencies and to streamline student access to necessary medical devices. It ensures school employees (including non-nurses) aren’t liable for civil damages or criminal charges when administering epinephrine in good faith during life-threatening situations, except for gross negligence. The bill also allows students with asthma or severe allergies to possess and use prescribed inhalers or epinephrine devices at school, on transportation, or at school events, provided they have written medical approval and an emergency care plan on file. These changes directly affect school staff, students with medical conditions requiring epinephrine or inhalers, and school administrators managing health protocols.
HB 5050 allows schools, camps, sports leagues, and similar organizations to stock and administer EpiPen-like epinephrine auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions. It permits trained staff (not just nurses) to use these devices in emergencies without needing a specific prescription for the individual, provided they believe someone is experiencing anaphylaxis. The bill requires staff to complete initial and biennial training on recognizing allergic reactions, storing, and using epinephrine devices. It also provides legal protection for organizations and trained individuals who follow these guidelines in good faith.
HB 4285 requires Michigan schools to offer firearm safety instruction for students in grades 6-12 by September 2025. The state must create a model program (based on existing hunter safety standards) covering safe handling, cleaning, firearm types, and hunting practices, taught by certified instructors - **without bringing firearms into school buildings**. Schools may offer this as an optional extracurricular class or integrate it into existing courses, and students or parents may opt out without penalty. Completing the program counts toward the hunter safety certification needed for a hunting license. The bill directly affects all Michigan public schools and students in grades 6-12.
HB 4747 adds a new state income tax deduction for Michigan taxpayers who contribute to 529 education savings plans. It allows residents to subtract their 529 plan contributions from their taxable income when filing Michigan state taxes, directly benefiting families saving for education costs. The bill amends Michigan’s tax code to create this specific deduction, effective immediately after its passage on October 23, 2025. This change provides a direct financial incentive for contributing to qualified education savings accounts.
HB 4345 creates an exception allowing Michigan school districts to skip required instructional days without facing penalties when closing due to a declared state of emergency. This directly affects school districts and students by providing flexibility during emergencies like natural disasters or public health crises. The bill amends existing law to remove the penalty for missing minimum instructional days during such closures, ensuring districts aren't financially punished for following emergency protocols. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on June 2, 2025.
HB 4239, the "foreign influence of state institutions of higher education act," prohibits Michigan public colleges and universities from entering agreements or accepting grants from specific "foreign countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria) if those arrangements control curriculum, threaten U.S. security, or restrict contracting freedom. It requires all gifts from foreign sources to be formalized through written agreements and mandates reporting of certain gifts to state officials. The law also bars accepting items of value conditioned on promoting a foreign country's language or culture and requires cultural exchange agreements with listed countries to be reviewed by U.S. federal agencies for national security risks. These provisions directly affect all 15 Michigan public universities and community colleges.
HB 4157 creates a pilot program for a state-administered assessment system in Michigan public schools, replacing the current M-STEP testing. It requires item analysis for all tests (showing which questions students answered correctly and common mistakes) and mandates that districts use only student enrollment data from the time of testing when calculating school performance scores. The bill allocates $500,000 for an online tool to provide secure, immediate access to student-level assessment data for educators and parents. This bill directly affects public school districts receiving state aid and their students in grades 11-12, as it modifies assessment requirements under the State School Aid Act.
HB 4156 amends Michigan's high school graduation requirements for diplomas. It modifies mathematics credit rules by allowing students to fulfill algebra II requirements through approved career and technical education programs (e.g., engineering, computer science) that cover equivalent content, rather than solely through traditional math courses. The bill also clarifies social science requirements, specifying that students entering grade 8 before 2023 may satisfy the economics credit with a personal economics course containing financial literacy, while maintaining core history and civics requirements for all students. These changes directly affect Michigan high school students and school districts by altering diploma eligibility criteria.
