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HB 4259

Education: safety; definitions in the student safety act; modify. Amends sec. 2 of 2013 PA 183 (MCL 752.912). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4258'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian BeGole and 10 co-sponsors

HB 4259 clarifies what counts as a tip and which communications channels cover the OK2SAY hotline under the Student Safety Act, linking to HB 4258.

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Bill Summary · HB 4259

Summary — HB 4259 (Student Safety Act amendments)

Status: Passed House (substitute H‑1 adopted), May 14, 2025; transmitted to the Senate and referred to Committee on Education. Introduced: March 18, 2025. Sponsor: Rep. Samantha Steckloff. Tie‑bar: Takes effect only if HB 4258 (related notification requirements) is enacted.

Purpose / intent

HB 4259 updates definitions in the Student Safety Act (2013 PA 183) to clarify the communication systems covered by the statute and to add a statutory definition of a “tip.” The change is intended to support statutory implementation of the OK2SAY/hotline reporting system and companion requirements (in HB 4258) that the Michigan State Police (MSP) notify affected schools and local law enforcement after receiving tips related to schools.

Key provisions

  • Amends section 2 of the Student Safety Act (MCL 752.912).
  • Defines key terms (as set out in the H‑1 substitute), including:
    • “Hotline” — a statewide toll‑free telephone number or other means of communication (voice, text, photographic, etc.) that transmits information to MSP through the departmental website (section 3(2)).
    • “School,” “school employee,” “school property,” and “school student” — definitions clarifying inclusion of public, private, denominational, and parochial schools (DK–12, including developmental kindergarten) and school buses.
    • “Tip” — a report or other information from the public regarding potential self‑harm, harm, or criminal acts directed at school students, school employees, or schools in Michigan that is made to the department through the hotline or any successor program.
  • Enacting section: the amendatory act does not take effect unless HB 4258 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted.

Relationship to HB 4258

HB 4259 is a companion to HB 4258. HB 4258 would require MSP to notify a school (via main office line or designated after‑hours line) and the local law enforcement agency or sheriff within 24 hours after MSP determines a received tip is related to that school or identifiable location. Because of the tie‑bar, both bills must be enacted for the changes to take effect.

Who is affected

  • Department of State Police (MSP): statutory duties and communications interpretations.
  • Schools (public, private, denominational, parochial K–12) and their employees and students: clarifies what reports qualify as “tips” and the communications channels covered.
  • Local law enforcement agencies: implicated through the companion bill’s notification requirement.
  • The public users of the OK2SAY/hotline system.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • HB 4259 itself has no direct fiscal impact on state or local government (per House Fiscal Agency).
  • HB 4258 could have an indeterminate fiscal impact on MSP depending on costs to ensure 24‑hour notification procedures for nonpublic schools and districts.
  • Legislative action: substitute H‑1 adopted; HB 4259 passed the House (Roll Call #109: Yeas 100, Nays 6) and was transmitted to the Senate.

Support

Recorded support from several education and faith‑based organizations, including the Michigan PTA, Michigan Catholic Conference, Michigan Association of Non‑public Schools, and Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators.

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

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