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HB 4689

Education: curriculum; the cultural history advisory board; create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1164f.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Erin Byrnes and 13 co-sponsors

Creates a Michigan Cultural History Advisory Board in the Dept of Education to develop a K–12 curriculum toolkit and PD on cultural histories; advisory only, no funding mandate.

bill electronically reproduced 06/25/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4689

Summary — HB 4689 (2025)

Title: Education: curriculum; the cultural history advisory board; create. (Adds sec. 1164f to 1976 PA 451)

Introduced: March 12, 2025.
Introduced/Reproduced: Rep. Veronica Paiz; bill electronically reproduced 06/25/2025.
Companion: SB 250.

Purpose

Create a Cultural History Advisory Board within the Michigan Department of Education to develop recommendations, a K–12 curriculum "tool kit," and professional development on cultural competency for teaching the histories of specified cultural groups.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Cultural History Advisory Board (adds section 1164f to the Revised School Code).
  • Membership requirements: appointees must demonstrate cultural competency and must not exhibit bias, bigotry, or discrimination against individuals protected under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2101–37.2804).
  • Specific duties: within 2 years after all members are appointed, the board must provide recommendations to the department about a K–12 curriculum tool kit and professional development to support teaching history related to listed cultural groups.
  • The board must hold public meetings to gather input and collaborate with institutions, tribes, cultural organizations, historians, museums, universities, and form subcommittees for each cultural group.
  • No explicit funding or enforcement mechanism is included in the bill text.

Membership and appointments

  • Total membership (as specified): 25 members (detailed composition below).
    • 2 each from: Asian‑American & Pacific Islander; Latino & Hispanic; Black; Middle Eastern/North African/Chaldean; Indigenous; Caribbean‑American; Jewish‑American; European‑American — (16)
    • 2 K–12 educators (holding Michigan teaching certificates) — (2)
    • 1 representative from an organization of superintendents or local school boards — (1)
    • 2 department staff members — (2)
    • 2 members from a labor organization representing teachers — (2)
    • 2 representatives from higher education (one from a state institution with >15,000 students and one from a state institution with <5,000 students) — (2)
  • Appointment timing: Superintendent of Public Instruction must appoint board members within 1 year after the bill’s effective date. Appointments are for 2‑year terms; vacancies filled for remainder of term.
  • Removal: superintendent may remove members for cause (incompetence, malfeasance, etc.).

Operations, meetings & compensation

  • Superintendent calls first meeting; board elects chair and may elect other officers.
  • Minimum meeting frequency: quarterly (or more often as needed).
  • Members entitled to a per diem (amount set by the department) and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.

Who is affected

  • Michigan Department of Education (hosts board and receives recommendations).
  • K–12 schools, teachers, school districts, and higher education institutions (may use the toolkit and PD).
  • Cultural communities listed in the bill and their organizations, tribes, historians, and museums (consulted/collaborators).
  • Students statewide through potential curricular changes/adoption.

Timeline & procedural status

  • Appointments within 1 year of bill’s effective date; recommendations due within 2 years after all appointments are made.
  • Legislative actions (selected): committee hearing and testimony 04/24/2025; reported favorably 04/29/2025; placed on General State Calendar and read 2nd time 05/06/2025; laid on table subject to call 05/13/2025. Reintroduced/reproduced 06/25/2025 and referred to Committee on Government Operations.

Notes / Observations

  • The board’s recommendations are advisory; the bill does not mandate adoption into curricula or specify funding for toolkit development or PD.
  • The bill explicitly emphasizes non‑discrimination in member selection by referencing Elliott‑Larsen protections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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