Education

SB 541 creates the Michigan National Guard member benefit fund in the state treasury to support existing benefit programs for National Guard members. The fund receives deposits from any source, earns interest through state treasurer investments, and retains all money year-to-year without lapsing to the general fund. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the fund and can only use its money to implement the Michigan National Guard tuition assistance program (2014 PA 259) and the Michigan National Guard child care assistance act. This bill directly affects Michigan National Guard members by ensuring dedicated funding for their tuition and child care benefits through these established programs.

The provided context does not include the specific text or policy details of SB 383. While the title mentions creating a "Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship" for higher education financial aid, no concrete provisions, eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, or affected groups are described in the given information. Without the bill's full text or explanatory summary, a factual description of its mechanisms or direct impacts cannot be provided. Procedural details (like passage dates) are noted but do not describe the bill's policy content.

SB 382 creates the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Act, providing last-dollar financial aid to Michigan residents attending eligible community colleges, public universities, or private nonprofit institutions. The scholarship covers remaining tuition and fees after other gift aid (like Pell Grants) is applied, based on a student's financial need (SAI of $30,000 or less). It directly affects low-to-moderate income students who meet eligibility criteria, including filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The program aims to make higher education more affordable by reducing out-of-pocket costs for qualifying students at participating Michigan institutions.

SB 234 requires Michigan public school districts and public school academies to create and implement policies limiting student cell phone use during school hours starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy must restrict phones during instructional time, breaks, lunch, and recess, while requiring exceptions for emergencies, medical devices, and students with disabilities (as required by law). Schools must detail enforcement methods and post the policy on their websites. This directly affects all Michigan K-12 public schools and their governing boards. The bill does not ban phones outright but mandates structured policies to reduce classroom distractions.

SB 83 allocates $30 million from the state school aid fund and $20 million from the educator fellowship fund for the 2024-2025 school year to create a stipend program for student teachers in Michigan. Eligible student teachers must be enrolled in approved teacher training programs, working in a school district or qualifying public preschool program, and not yet employed as a full teacher. The program provides up to $9,600 per semester directly to student teachers through their training programs, with priority given to those receiving Pell Grants if funds are limited. This affects student teachers pursuing certification and their educator preparation programs, aiming to support their classroom experience during training.