Education: other; public innovative programs; provide for. Amends secs. 6, 18 & 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1606 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5983'26

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nancy DeBoer and 1 co-sponsor

The bill expands and clarifies authority, funding, and governance for public innovative programs in Michigan K-12 districts and academies.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

#education:other

Bill Summary: HB 5984 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

The bill concerns education policy in Michigan, focusing on public innovative programs within the K-12 system.

It amends sections 6, 18, and 101 of 1979 Public Act 94 (Michigan Compiled Laws: MCL 388.1606 et seq.), which govern school district powers, public school academies, and related education provisions.

The bill is designed to provide for or expand “public innovative programs” as part of the state’s framework for improving or diversifying educational offerings.

Key provisions and changes

While the exact text is not provided here, the bill’s title and amendment notes indicate:

Revisions to Section 6: Likely related to definitions, district powers, or governance around innovative programs and related authorization processes.
Revisions to Section 18: Likely affecting funding, oversight, reporting, or implementation requirements for innovative programs at the district or school level.
Revisions to Section 101: Likely addressing administrative rules, standards, or program eligibility criteria for innovative programs, possibly including accountability measures.

The bill is intended to work in tandem with HB 5983/ HB 598? (as indicated by the tie bar), suggesting a package deal that collectively expands or clarifies innovative program authority and funding or governance.

Who is affected

Public school districts and charter/public school academies in Michigan that run or plan to run innovative programs.

Local school administrators and boards responsible for approving or overseeing such programs.

Teachers, students, and families participating in or affected by public innovative programs (e.g., specialized curricula, new instructional models, partnerships).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and first read on May 19, 2026.

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce for review and potential amendments.

The action history shows a standard committee referral process; no floor actions, votes, or Conference Committee details are provided.

The bill includes a tie-bar to HB 5983/ HB 598? indicating that the two bills are intended to be considered together. If one is enacted, it may affect the other.

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, districts may gain expanded authority to implement or scale innovative programs, subject to any new standards, reporting requirements, or funding mechanisms established in the amendments.

The changes could alter governance, accountability, and funding for innovative programs, potentially enabling new partnerships or pilot models.

Stakeholders should watch for:

Clarifications on eligibility criteria and program definitions.
Any new reporting, evaluation, or compliance requirements.
Funding implications (grants, allocations, or eligibility thresholds).
Interactions with existing state education requirements and accountability systems.

Notes

Specific language and numerical details (e.g., funding amounts, timelines, performance metrics) are not provided in the available summary. For a precise understanding, consult the bill’s text as it moves through committee and potential floor action, as well as any related tie-bar legislation (HB 5983 and related bills).