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HB 4027

Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough County

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Owen

Establishes a state Purple Star Program recognizing public schools that designate a military liaison, provide resources and transition support, and offer staff development to aid m

Approved by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 4027

HB 4027 — Purple Star School Program (Adds MCL 380.1138a)

Sponsor: Rep. Dale Zorn
Subject: Education; military-connected students
Statutory change: Adds section 1138a to the Revised School Code (1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1–380.1852)
Committee: Education

Purpose / Intent

To establish a state-administered “Purple Star Program” that recognizes public schools that take specific actions to identify, support, and ease transitions for military‑connected pupils and their families.

Key provisions

  • Michigan Department of Education (MDE) duties

    • By not later than January 1, 2026, MDE must create a Purple Star Program including:
    • An application process for public schools to seek designation as a Purple Star Program school.
    • A process for designating schools that meet the statutory criteria.

  • School eligibility criteria (a public school qualifies if it meets all listed elements)

    • Designate a staff member as a military liaison whose minimum duties include:
    • Identifying military‑connected pupils.
    • Serving as point of contact for pupils and families.
    • Determining and coordinating appropriate services and programs.
    • Ensuring access to counseling, mentoring, volunteering, and support services.
    • Maintain an easily accessible web page (on the school homepage) with resources that include:
    • Relocation, enrollment/registration, and records-transfer information.
    • Academic planning, course sequences, and advanced class information.
    • Counseling and support services available.
    • Information about the military liaison and duties.
    • Maintain a transition program that helps military‑connected pupils transition into the school (pupil‑led where appropriate).
    • Offer professional development for staff on issues related to military‑connected pupils (may be provided by a Michigan professional educator association).
    • Offer at least one initiative from a list including:
    • A resolution supporting military‑connected pupils/families.
    • Monthly recognition of a military‑connected pupil or family with relevant events.
    • A partnership with an Armed Forces branch for volunteering, speaking, or field trips.
    • Pupil‑driven clubs/groups demonstrating community–family engagement.

  • Definitions

    • “Military‑connected pupil” — a pupil enrolled in a school district, intermediate school district (ISD), or public school academy (PSA) who is either (a) a family member of a current or former member of the Armed Forces, or (b) a family member of a service member killed in the line of duty.
    • “Armed Forces” — U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, other Congress‑designated forces, and their reserve components (including the National Guard).

Who is affected

  • Directly: public K–12 schools (district schools, ISDs, and PSAs) that choose to apply for Purple Star designation and military‑connected pupils and their families.
  • Indirectly: MDE (administration and oversight responsibilities).

Timeline / Procedure

  • MDE must establish the program by January 1, 2026 (committee-reported version).
  • Schools apply through the program’s application process once established.

Fiscal impact

  • State costs increase to support program creation and administration.
  • MDE reported (House Fiscal Agency) that managing/operating the program would require about 0.5 FTE and an annual budget of approximately $100,000–$200,000.
  • No direct fiscal impact on local school districts, ISDs, or PSAs beyond any costs they elect to incur in meeting designation criteria.

Background / Other notes

  • Bill is substantially similar to earlier legislation (Senate Bill 530, 2021–22 session).
  • Testimony and positions: U.S. Department of Defense representative and Michigan Department of Education indicated support during committee consideration.
  • Statutory location: proposed as MCL 380.1138a in the Revised School Code.

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

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