Each month, The Michigan Daily publishes a compilation of bills in the Michigan legislature for students at the University of Michigan to know about.
The following article explains five bills that have been introduced, passed or signed into law by the Michigan legislature or Gov. Gretchen Whitmer throughout the month of March.
1. Making trade schools eligible for dual enrollment credit
Status: Passed by the House
Introduced by state Rep. Brian BeGole, R-Shiawassee, Feb. 26, House Bill 4154 would establish trade school as an eligible postsecondary institution for high school students seeking dual enrollment credit.
The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act of 1996 allows high school students to earn college credit at postsecondary institutions at no additional cost. Currently, eligible institutions include state universities, community colleges, independent nonprofit degree-granting colleges or universities located in Michigan and out-of-state colleges located within 20 miles of the Michigan border.
This bill would amend the act to expand students’ options to include trade schools. Supporters argue that making trade schools eligible will allow those that are not planning to attend a college or university after high school easier access to career paths in skilled trades.
This bill was passed in bipartisan support, according to a press release from Michigan House Republicans. Addressing the House, BeGole emphasized the importance of this bill in preparing students to enter the workforce.
“This can be the difference between a student being gainfully employed and supporting themselves or their families through the skilled trades or being unemployed,” BeGole said.
BeGole said the bill is crucial to growing Michigan’s skilled workforce.
“We just need to provide avenues for students who are looking at good-paying careers in these fields. With this bill, we can further diversify our workforce and cement Michigan as a leader for in-demand skilled trades workers,” BeGole said.
2. Codifying the Black Leadership Advisory Council
Status: Passed by the Senate
State Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, introduced Senate Bill 51 Feb. 4. The bill would create the Black Leadership Advisory Council, responsible for developing and recommending policies and actions to the governor that prevent and dismantle racial discrimination and inequity in Michigan. This includes areas such as health care, housing, education, employment, economic opportunity, public accommodations and procurement. It would also serve as a resource for community organizations, providing guidance on issues, programs and funding opportunities to advance the interests of the Black community. Appointed members to the council include Black leaders in fields such as economics, law, education, health, justice and other fields.
This bill is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 840 of the 2023-2024 legislative session, which was also passed in the Senate, but received no further action in the House.
Geiss said in a press release that codifying BLAC into law will lead to economic growth and equity.
“BLAC plays a crucial role in advising the governor on policies to dismantle discrimination and racial inequities while also serving as a vital resource for community groups on programs, funding, and more,” Geiss said. “This legislation is essential for promoting economic growth, wealth equity and structural change. Codifying BLAC into law ensures its critical work continues, and I look forward to the bill’s consideration in the Michigan House of Representatives.”
3. Creating pro-life fetal development education guidelines
Status: Introduced in the Senate
State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, introduced Senate Bill 119 March 5. If passed, the bill would change academic curriculum content standards for biology to include a pro-life overview of human biology when teaching pregnancy.
This would include an overview of human development inside the uterus and a presentation of a three minute, high-definition ultrasound video that shows the development of the brain, heart and other organs in fetal development. It would also require a presentation of a high-quality, computer-generated animation by pro-life organization Live Action called “Meet Baby Olivia” showing each stage of development inside the uterus. It would amend Act 451 of 1976, the Revised School Code, which outlines the organizational structure and policies related to public education in Michigan.
The bill, also known as the “Baby Olivia Bill,” has been introduced and faced backlash in other states such as Arkansas, Nebraska and Tennessee.
In a press release, Lindsey said he feels the bill is based on common sense. He stressed that students should learn about the development of babies inside the uterus.
“My ‘Baby Olivia’ bill raises awareness about the sanctity of unborn life,” Lindsey said.
In a statement by Christine Soyong Harley, president and CEO of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Harley condemned the “Baby Olivia Bill” in response to its passing in Tennessee in 2024.
“This isn’t sex education, this is a disinformation campaign designed to brainwash young children and force an out-of-touch and wildly unpopular regressive and false reproductive agenda in the public education system, using anti-abortion, anti-science propaganda about fetal development,” Harley wrote.
4. Developing school safety trainings
Status: Introduced in the House
On March 12, State Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Grand Rapids, introduced House Bill 4228 . If passed, the bill would require the state to develop school safety and security training material as well as provide annual training on these topics. This would require several agencies, including the Michigan State Police’s Office of School Safety, the Michigan Department of Education and the Department of the Attorney General, to provide these materials to school resource officers, school safety or security personnel and all school staff in both public and nonpublic schools.
Five of the 10 House school safety package bills, including House Bill 4228, were discussed at an Education and Workforce Committee hearing March 26. In Glanville’s testimony, she said that while she is glad that the bill is included in this package, she was surprised that the bill has been taken up so early without changes stakeholders agreed to last term. Glanville added that she wants to continue to work with colleagues to reach a good bill for kids, law enforcement and school personnel in Michigan, but has reservations about the bill in its current form.
“A safe school is not a school where a kid needs to be rescued. It is a school that does not experience crisis in the first place,” Glanville said. “With this bill, there seems to be more intent on creating a police state in our schools rather than fully funding education, ensuring that there are enough teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors and other support staff to attend to the needs of all of our students.”
At the end of her testimony, she requested that the Committee Chair hold off on a vote for this bill until more of the work done last session is incorporated.
5. Creating a Rare Disease Advisory Council
Status: Introduced in the House
Introduced by state Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, March 5, House Bill 4169 would create a Rare Disease Advisory Council for the purpose of advising state agencies on research, diagnosis and treatment efforts related to rare diseases in Michigan. The bill lists certain criteria under which individuals can be members of the council. The council must consist of the director and between 12 and 18 additional members appointed by the director. The director may select from various criteria to appoint members, including but not limited to an epidemiologist who has expertise in rare disease, a physician who has experience treating patients with rare disease and an individual who represents a hospital in the state.
Morgan himself shared his own experience with the rare condition Becker’s muscular dystrophy in a press release from Michigan House Democrats.
“Receiving the diagnosis of Becker’s muscular dystrophy when I was 13 years old was incredibly difficult,” Morgan said. “Going to muscular dystrophy summer camp and seeing my peers thriving in spite of their diagnosis helped me realize what was possible for those who live with this condition. I want to make sure other Michiganders living with rare diseases receive the support they need — not only to find the best care, but to lead fulfilling lives.”
In the same press release, Stephen Rapundalo, president and CEO of MichBio, the statewide biosciences industry association, expressed his support for the bill.
“A Michigan Rare Disease Advisory Council enacted by statute is essential to give individuals living with a rare disease and their caregivers a committed voice in state government by advising policymakers on obstacles that patients and their families face in obtaining proper treatment and care for their conditions,” Rapundalo said. “An RDAC is critical to ensure that the necessary scientific and medical expertise, research discoveries, novel therapies being developed and knowledge sharing about available resources can better inform Michigan’s rare disease community and improve lives.”
Daily News Contributor Savannah Halpern can be reached at savhal@umich.edu.