Michigan House Bill HB4665

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/17/25
• Refer: 6/17/25

Caption

Education: attendance; excused absence from public school for participating in events offered by the National FFA Organization, the Michigan FFA, a 4-H club, or other livestock-related activities; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1138a.

Impact

The implications of HB4665 are significant for students involved in agricultural activities, as it provides a structured way to excuse absences for participation in competitions and exhibitions. Previously, students attending such events may have faced penalties for missing school, potentially discouraging their engagement in these valuable extracurricular activities. By allowing for up to six excused absences per school year under these circumstances, the bill ensures that students can fulfill their commitments to agricultural organizations while maintaining a clear academic standard for participation.

Summary

House Bill 4665 aims to amend the Michigan Revised School Code by adding section 1138a, which addresses the treatment of student absences from school. This bill stipulates that a student's absence shall be considered excused if they are participating in events held by the National FFA Organization, the Michigan FFA Association, a 4-H club, or any other agricultural organization approved by the respective school board. Furthermore, it requires that the student be in good academic standing to qualify for these excused absences. This legislative change seeks to recognize and support the involvement of students in agricultural education and related events.

Contention

While the bill seeks to provide support for agricultural programs and recognizes the importance of experiential learning, there may be concerns regarding its implementation. Critics might argue that allowing excused absences for specific organizations could create an imbalance in how absences are treated, potentially leading to disparities among students engaged in different extracurricular activities. Additionally, some may question how schools will regulate and monitor academic standing to ensure compliance with the bill's requirements, raising issues about uniformity and fairness in the application of these excused absence standards.