2022 House Bill 5703 / Public Act 213

Require public schools prominently post key parents rights laws

Introduced in the House

Feb. 1, 2022

Introduced by Rep. Annette Glenn (R-98)

To require public schools to prominently post two state law provisions in specified rooms, including the one where the school board meets. The first provision is the text from section 1 of the Michigan Constitution’s Article 8, which reads, “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” This language been in each of Michigan’s constitutions going back to 1837, and comes from the Northwest Territory Ordinance signed by George Washington in 1787.<br> The bill would also require schools to post the section of the state School Code that reads: “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. The public schools of this state serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil's parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil's intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive environment”.

Referred to the Committee on Education

Feb. 15, 2022

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

March 8, 2022

Amendment offered by Rep. Brenda Carter (D-29)

To also require language from the state constitution be posted stating: “The legislature shall maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools as defined by law. Every school district shall provide for the education of its pupils without discrimination as to religion, creed, race, color or national origin”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Regina Weiss (D-27)

To also require language from the state constitution be posted stating: “No public monies or property shall be appropriated or paid or any public credit utilized, by the legislature or any other political subdivision or agency of the state directly or indirectly to aid or maintain any private, denominational or other nonpublic, pre-elementary, elementary, or secondary school".

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Lori Stone (D-28)

To replace the proposed texts to be posted with an instruction that copies of the state constitution to school board members at meetings.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-4)

To also require that required postings be repeated in any language spoke by a specified proportion of the population within the school district's territory.

The amendment failed by voice vote

March 10, 2022

Passed in the House 85 to 16 (details)

To require public schools to prominently post a certain state Constitution provision in specified rooms, including the one where the school board meets. It is the text from section 1 of the Constitution’s Article 8, which reads, “Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” This language been in each of Michigan’s constitutions going back to 1837.

Received in the Senate

March 15, 2022

Referred to the Committee on Education and Career Readiness

Sept. 28, 2022

Passed in the Senate 28 to 5 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 28, 2022

Passed in the House 84 to 20 (details)

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

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 11, 2022