HB 6016 modifies Michigan's interim teaching certification process to establish stricter requirements for individuals seeking temporary teaching credentials. The bill mandates that all applicants must hold a degree from an accredited institution, pass subject exams, and complete an intensive training program equivalent to at least 12 college credit hours. A key provision eliminates the ability to grant new interim certificates for special education teaching beginning July 21, 2027, while allowing those currently holding such certificates to continue teaching. Additionally, the law requires school districts to provide intensive observation and coaching to anyone teaching under an interim certificate while they work toward full certification.
HB 5364 requires Michigan's state board of education to obtain legislative approval - via a concurrent resolution from both the state Senate and House - before revising the state's recommended academic curriculum standards. The bill directly affects school districts, the state board, and legislators by preventing changes to standards without formal legislative consent. Key provisions include prohibiting standards from including "attitudes, beliefs, or value systems" unrelated to academic learning, while maintaining existing requirements for standards covering subjects like history (including genocide education) and assessments focused solely on academic skills. The bill does not alter current standards but changes the process for future updates. It is currently pending in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
SB 495 requires Michigan public schools, districts, and academies to develop and biennially review comprehensive emergency operations plans. These plans must address school violence, threats, fire, intruders, mental health training for teachers, security improvements, active violence protocols, and pupil reunification. The bill mandates that plans include specific guidelines listed in subsection (3), such as vulnerability assessments and protocols for wireless device use during emergencies. It applies directly to all public school buildings and requires collaboration with local law enforcement agencies.
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.
SB 166 allocates funding for K-12 public schools in the state for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects all public K-12 school districts by providing their state education budget. The bill establishes the specific financial amounts schools will receive during this fiscal period. It became law on October 7, 2025, with immediate effect (PA 0015'25).
HB 4024 requires public K-12 schools to restrict student access to restrooms and changing areas based on biological sex. This policy directly affects all students in these schools, particularly those whose gender identity does not align with their biological sex. The bill establishes new requirements for schools to enforce this policy, mandating that facility access be determined by biological sex rather than gender identity. It passed the legislature with immediate effect on September 9, 2025, and is now in force.
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 4469 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to allow K-12 public and private schools subject to Title IX (federal education law) to base athletic participation eligibility on a student's biological sex as listed on their original birth certificate. This specifically exempts schools from the state's anti-discrimination law when determining sports team placement for students in grades K-12. The provision directly affects K-12 educational institutions, enabling them to use birth certificate sex as the criterion for athletic eligibility rather than other factors. The bill creates a clear policy change by overriding the general anti-discrimination protections in the civil rights law for this specific athletic context.
HB 4066 requires Michigan public schools to designate interscholastic athletic teams as "female," "male," or "coeducational" based on biological sex. It prohibits male students from participating in teams designated exclusively for females and protects schools from complaints or penalties for maintaining such single-sex teams. The law allows students or schools harmed by violations to seek legal remedies, including damages. It defines "sex" as biological sex listed on an individual's original birth certificate issued at or near birth. This bill directly affects public school districts, students, and athletic associations in Michigan.
HB 4225 requires public schools serving grades 6-12 to include a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline number and contact information for Michigan's OK2SAY program (a confidential student safety reporting system) on student identification cards starting July 1, 2026. Nonpublic schools serving the same grades are encouraged to do the same. The bill amends Michigan's "Save our Students Act" to mandate this inclusion, ensuring students have immediate access to mental health resources and safety reporting tools. It applies to all public school districts, public school academies, and intermediate school districts, with liability protections for schools that comply.
