2005 House Bill 4803 / Public Act 144

Ban school year starting before Labor Day

Introduced in the House

May 17, 2005

Introduced by Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1)

To prohibit public schools from starting the school year before Labor Day.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment

June 23, 2005

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 30, 2005

Passed in the House 69 to 40 (details)

Received in the Senate

Aug. 31, 2005

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Regulatory Reform

Sept. 20, 2005

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Amendment offered

To exempt schools that operate a year-round school or program from pre-Labor Day ban, and require the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish standards for what constitutes a "bona fide year round school or program".

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 21 to 17 (details)

To prohibit public schools from starting the school year before Labor Day. Year-round schools would be exempt.

Received in the House

Sept. 20, 2005

Amendment offered by Rep. Shelley Goodman Taub (R-40)

To exempt a public school that is an "international baccalaureate academy" from the pre-Labor Day ban. This would apply to a school in Bloomfield Hills.

The amendment passed 57 to 50 (details)

Passed in the House 66 to 43 (details)

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

Received in the Senate

Sept. 21, 2005

To concur with the House-passed amendment to the bill, which clarifies a year-round school exemption.

Passed in the Senate 25 to 13 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Sept. 29, 2005