Michigan House Bill HB4345

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/17/25
• Refer: 4/17/25

Caption

School aid: penalties; exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for district closure during a declared state of emergency; provide for. Amends sec. 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1701).

Impact

The intended effect of HB 4345 is to provide flexibility to school districts that are significantly affected by state-declared emergencies, such as natural disasters or health crises. By waiving the penalties for not meeting the 1,098 hours or 180 days of annual instruction for the affected periods, the bill aims to protect these districts from financial repercussions that could hinder their ability to recover and maintain educational standards. This concession could also simplify administrative processes during emergencies, allowing for a quicker return to normal operations.

Summary

House Bill 4345 proposes an amendment to the State School Aid Act of 1979, particularly impacting the minimum number of educational hours and days required for instruction. The bill allows exceptions to the standard instructional requirements for the 2024-2025 school year. Specifically, districts located in areas declared by the governor as experiencing a state of emergency can avoid penalties associated with failing to meet these minimums, provided that a majority of the district's board votes to adopt this exemption. They will only forfeit funding for the actual hours or days of instruction that were missed during the emergency period.

Contention

While the bill seems beneficial in accommodating emergencies, some critics may argue that it opens the door to potential misuse by districts that may take advantage of these waivers. There are concerns that districts could neglect their instructional obligations under pretense of emergencies, leading to lower educational outcomes. The requirement for board approval could mitigate this risk, but the effectiveness of this safeguard may vary across districts. Thus, the discussion surrounding HB 4345 is likely to include varying opinions on accountability and the balance between flexibility and educational standards.