MI
Michigan House Bill HB5555
Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session
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MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Michigan House Bill HB5555

Introduced
2/19/26  

Caption

Civil rights: disabilities discrimination; protections against harassment by an educational institution; provide for. Amends secs. 401, 402 & 606 of 1976 PA 220 (MCL 37.1401 et seq.) & adds secs. 402a, 402b, 402c & 606a.

Impact

If enacted, HB5555 would amend existing provisions to explicitly prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in educational settings. This includes barring institutions from taking retaliatory actions against individuals who report harassment or participate in investigations. It establishes a requirement for institutions to adopt supportive measures like counseling services, monitoring, and modifications to ensure that individuals subject to harassment can continue to access educational opportunities effectively. Through such amendments, the bill aims to foster a safer and more equitable environment in educational establishments.

Summary

House Bill 5555 seeks to amend the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act in Michigan to enhance protections against discrimination and harassment within educational institutions. The bill clarifies the definitions surrounding discrimination and harassment, particularly as it relates to individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes that harassment is not limited to verbal or direct actions but includes any unwelcome communication or conduct that creates an intimidating or hostile environment, which can occur through electronic means. Additionally, the bill mandates educational institutions to designate compliance coordinators to ensure adherence to these protections.

Contention

While the bill represents a step forward in protecting the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, there may be points of contention regarding how these measures will be implemented practically. Opponents may argue about the burden placed on educational institutions to enforce these provisions adequately, especially concerning the allocation of resources for compliance coordinators and training staff. Furthermore, there may be concerns about the potential for a rise in frivolous complaints or the challenges institutions face in balancing a rigorous enforcement regime with the rights of individuals presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MI HB5554

Education: other; protections against harassment by an educational institution; provide for. Amends secs. 103, 401, 402, 801 & 802 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2103 et seq.) & adds secs. 402b, 402c & 402d.

MI HB5075

Civil rights: disabilities discrimination; civil actions under the persons with disabilities civil rights act; require presuit notice and provide an opportunity to comply. Amends sec. 606 of 1976 PA 220 (MCL 37.1606) & adds sec. 606a.

MI HB4548

Civil rights: general discrimination; discrimination because of ethnicity, including discrimination because of Jewish heritage; prohibit under the Elliot-Larsen civil rights act. Amends title & secs. 102, 103, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 301, 302, 302a, 402, 502, 504, 505, 506 & 507 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2102 et seq.).

MI HB4777

Civil rights: general discrimination; gender identity or expression; remove from categories protected under Elliott-Larsen civil rights act. Amends title & secs. 102, 103, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 302, 302a, 402, 502, 504, 505 & 506 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2102 et seq.).

MI HB4751

Civil rights: general discrimination; sexual orientation and gender identity or expression; remove as categories protected under the Elliott-Larsen civil rights act. Amends title & secs. 102, 103, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 302, 302a, 402, 502, 504, 505 & 506 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2102 et seq.).

MI SB0598

Medical marihuana: licenses; number of marihuana provisioning center licenses; place limit on. Amends secs. 102, 302, 401 & 402 of 2016 PA 281 (MCL 333.27102 et seq.) & adds sec. 402a.

MI HB5095

Industrial Hemp: administration; administration of industrial hemp program; modify. Amends 2020 PA 220 by repealing secs. 101, 103, 105, 201, 211, 213, 215, 217, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511, 513, 515, 601, 602, 603, 605, 607, 609 & 801 (MCL 333.29101 et seq.).

MI SB0608

Industrial Hemp: administration; administration of industrial hemp program; modify. Repeals secs. 101, 103, 105, 201, 211, 213, 215, 217, 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 501, 503, 505, 507, 509, 511, 513, 515, 601, 602, 603, 605, 607, 609 & 801 of 2020 PA 220 (MCL 333.29101 et seq.)

MI HB5508

Civil rights: sex discrimination and harassment; confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements; prohibit. Amends 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2101 - 37.2804) by adding sec. 706.

MI HB4469

Civil rights: sex discrimination and harassment; basing an individual's eligibility to participate in athletics on the individual's biological sex; provide an exemption to allow certain K-12 educational institutions to do. Amends 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2101 - 37.2804) by adding sec. 405.

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