It was a year of much political division in the Legislature for 2025, with a record-low number of new laws. With the 2026 legislative session about to the third week of January, Speaker Matt Hall is reportedly aiming for another year with minimal laws passed.

That said, there are several bills signed into law late in 2025 and many more MEA is carefully monitoring as we proceed into the new year.  Key issues are outlined below — for a more complete list of all education-related bills, check out the MEA Legislative Tracker.

Education-related bills that became law in 2025:

• HB 4345 (PA 5 of 2025): an MEA-supported bill addressing the impact of the Northern Michigan ice storm last March, forgiving 15 additional days for districts within a county covered by a State of Emergency declared by the Governor.
• HB 4836 and SB 349 (PA 56 and PA 57 of 2025): allow for an opt-out option for the workforce readiness assessment portion of the Michigan Merit Exam (WorkKeys). MEA supported this legislation, which has been an item of discussion for several years.
• HB 4285 (PA 48 of 2025): requiring the Michigan Department of Education to work with the Department of Natural Resources to make a model program of firearm safety instruction available to schools, which will teach responsible firearm handling, cleaning and maintenance, and safe hunting practices. Districts can choose to not offer the course, and students are not required to participate. The course would be for students in grades 6 to 12.
• HB 4065, HB 4282, HB 4595 (PA 39, PA 40 and PA 41 of 2025): allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to issue a licenses to sell alcohol for consumption at certain locations at Schoolcraft College, Macomb Community College and Wayne County Community College District.
• SB 96, SB 97, SB 98 (PA 60, PA 61 and PA 62 of 2025): technical fixes to expand the law allowing temporary door locking devices in school buildings to childcare operations unaffiliated with schools.

Ongoing legislative issues for 2026:

• Cell Phones – SB 234: would require school boards to implement a wireless communications device policy. MEA supports this legislation currently in the House and is supportive of a legislative solution to reduce student cell phone use in school. Another cell phone bill, HB 4141, failed to get enough vote for passage in the House last year.

• MME Writing and Transcript Eliminations – HB 4556 and HB 4557: would remove the requirements that students complete a writing component of the Michigan Merit Exam and remove MME results from transcripts.  MEA supports both bills.  There are other bills on curriculum and assessment MEA is monitoring, including HB 4156, HB 4157, HB 4158, and HB 4159.
• Certification – MEA supports HB 4150 to eliminate teacher certification fees. It is in the Senate along with other certification related legislation (HB 4151 and HB 4153).
• School Safety – A variety of bills are in the Senate, including:
  • HB 4222: Develop school emergency operations plan
  • HB4223: Mandate training for school safety
  • HB 4225: Contact info ID for OK2SAY program
  • HB4226: Modify required times for fire drills
  • HB4229: Requires that the Office of School Safety within the Department of State Police (MSP) to compile quarterly reports of tips received under the Student Safety Act that the system receives regarding potential harm involving students, school staff, or school buildings.
  • HB4258/4259: Require MSP to notify schools of safety tips notification of certain tips related to a school; require the department of state police to provide. Tip would mean a report or other information from the public regarding potential self-harm, or criminal acts directed at school students, school employees, or schools in Michigan.

• Other:
  • HB 5044: would require each school district to adopt a public policy by July 1, 2026, allowing students with a prescription/recommendation/order for medically necessary treatment to receive such treatment in the school setting. (MEA is opposed to this bill in the House Education Committee.)
  • HB 4922: would remove certification requirements for school librarians. (MEA is opposed to this bill in the House Education Committee.)
  • HB 4588: would require candidates for school board to identify and run as a member of a political party. (MEA is opposed to this bill on the House floor.)