2006 House Bill 6014 / Public Act 420

Exempt Bible colleges from state regulations

Introduced in the House

April 27, 2006

Introduced by Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer (R-105)

To exempt colleges or seminaries operated by an ecclesiastical or religious order, society, or church from certain general corporation act requirements that apply to private schools and colleges.

Referred to the Committee on Higher Education

June 22, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-5) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that only grants the exemption to one instutution, the Grace Baptist College, a religious college that trains Baptist ministers and missionaries. The college could offer degrees but they could not include the term "arts" or "science".

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 65 to 41 (details)

To exempt the Grace Baptist College in Gaylord, a religious college that trains Baptist ministers and missionaries, from certain general corporation act requirements that apply to private schools and colleges. The state Department of Labor and Economic Growth asserts authority over any private school organized as a corporation that styles itself a "college" offering a "degree," even if the subject matter is purely religious.

Motion by Rep. Chris Ward (R-66)

To give the bill immediate effect.

The motion failed 64 to 42 (details)

Received in the Senate

June 27, 2006

Referred to the Committee on Education

June 29, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 14, 2006

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one establising that the Bible college could not use the words "arts", "science", "business" or "applied" in the labeling of its degree programs.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 32 to 5 (details)

To exempt the Grace Baptist College in Gaylord, a religious college that trains Baptist ministers and missionaries, from certain general corporation act requirements that apply to private schools and colleges. The state Department of Labor and Economic Growth asserts authority over any private school organized as a corporation that styles itself a "college" offering a "degree," even if the subject matter is purely religious.

Received in the House

Sept. 14, 2006

Sept. 19, 2006

Passed in the House 74 to 32 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Motion by Rep. Chris Ward (R-66)

To give the bill immediate effect.

The motion passed 80 to 24 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Sept. 29, 2006