Providing pay increases to members of judiciary

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vince Deeds and 4 co-sponsors

Michigan SB 589 requires districts to let eligible homeschooled or nonpublic students participate in extracurriculars, and to avoid associations that prohibit their participation.

Rereferred to Finance

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Purpose and intent

SB 589 would require Michigan school district and intermediate school district boards to permit eligible children who are homeschooled or attend nonpublic schools (but who reside in the district) to participate in extracurricular activities offered by the district. The bill also limits district membership or participation in athletic conferences or statewide interscholastic associations that bar such students from participation.

Key provisions

Adds section 1290 to the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1–380.1852).

Board non‑prohibition: A district or intermediate school district board shall not prohibit an eligible child from participating in any extracurricular activities offered by a school the board operates.

Association/conflict clause: A board must ensure the district is not a member of — and does not participate in events run by — any athletic conference or statewide interscholastic athletic association that has rules, bylaws, or policies that prohibit an eligible child’s participation.

Definitions:

"Eligible child" — a child who (a) resides within the district, (b) is homeschooled or attending a nonpublic school during participation, and (c) meets all other applicable eligibility standards for the extracurricular activity.
"Extracurricular activities" — explicitly includes, but is not limited to: interscholastic athletics; theater/drama productions; band, orchestra, or other musical programs; and debate team.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: homeschooled students and students enrolled in nonpublic schools who live in the district and wish to join district extracurricular programs.

School districts and intermediate school districts: required to permit participation and to avoid membership/participation in associations that would prohibit such participation.

Athletic conferences and statewide interscholastic associations: could face pressure to modify policies or risk losing participating districts.

Families and community programs: potential increase in access to school extracurricular offerings.

Practical and policy considerations

Eligibility compliance: eligible children must still meet “all other applicable eligibility standards” (e.g., age/grade requirements, tryouts, academic eligibility, residency proof), so districts would retain ability to apply standard participation rules.

Potential conflicts: where an association’s bylaws currently restrict participation by homeschooled/nonpublic students, the bill effectively requires districts either to seek policy changes from the association or to withdraw/nonparticipate in association events.

Administrative effects: districts may need to adopt new policies and procedures to enroll, verify eligibility, and coordinate participation for non‑enrolled students. The bill text does not specify enforcement mechanisms or remedies for violations.

Procedural status (as provided)

Introduced: February 20, 2025.

Status: Referred to Committee on Education.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one‑page memo on likely implementation steps for districts; or
- Prepare comparison with other Michigan or out‑of‑state statutes addressing public school participation by homeschooled/nonpublic students.

Bill