Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
PURPLE STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4027 (H-2) as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Dale Zorn http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Education
Complete to 12-3-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4027 would amend the Revised School Code to create a Purple Star Program and
provide for its processes and qualification criteria. Under the bill, the Michigan Department of
Education (MDE) would have to create a Purple Star Program by January 1, 2026, that includes
at least both of the following:
• A process for a public school to apply for designation as a Purple Star Program school.
• A process for designating public schools that meet the criteria described below as
Purple Star Program schools.
A public school that meets at least all of the following would qualify for designation as a Purple
Star Program school:
• The school designates a staff member as a military liaison. The military liaison would
have to do at least all of the following:
o Identify military-connected pupils enrolled in the public school.
o Serve as the point of contact between other individuals at the public school and
military-connected pupils and their families.
o Determine appropriate services available to military-connected pupils.
o Assist in coordinating programs relevant to military-connected pupils.
o Ensure that military-connected pupils have access to appropriate counseling,
mentoring, volunteering opportunities, and support services.
• The school maintains an easily accessible web page on its website homepage with
resources for military-connected pupils and their families that include at least all of the
following:
o Information about relocation to the public school, enrollment and registration
at the public school, and transferring records to the public school.
o Information about academic planning, course sequences, and advanced classes
available at the public school.
o Information about counseling and other support services available for military-
connected pupils enrolled at the public school.
o Information about the military liaison described above and the liaison's duties.
• The school maintains a transition program that assists military-connected pupils in
transitioning to the public school and that is led, where appropriate, by pupils.
• The school offers professional development for its staff members on issues related to
military-connected pupils. This professional development could be provided by a
professional educator association in Michigan.
• The school offers at least one of the following initiatives:
o A resolution showing support for military-connected pupils and their families.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 o A recognition of a military-connected pupil or the family of a military-
connected pupil each month with relevant events connected to this recognition
hosted by the public school.
o A partnership with a branch of the Armed Forces that provides opportunities
for members of the Armed Forces to volunteer at the public school, speak at an
assembly, or host a field trip sponsored by the public school.
o Pupil-driven clubs and groups that show community–family engagement for
military-connected pupils and their families.
Military-connected pupil would mean a pupil enrolled in a school district, intermediate
school district (ISD), or public school academy (PSA, or charter school) who meets
either of the following:
• The pupil is the family member of a current or former member of the Armed
Forces.
• The pupil was the family member of an individual who was a member of the
Armed Forces and was killed in the line of duty.
Armed Forces would mean the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps,
Space Force, or Coast Guard or other military force designated by Congress as a part
of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the reserve components (which
include the National Guard).
Proposed MCL 380.1138a
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4027 would increase costs for the state and would have no fiscal impact on local
school districts, ISDs, and PSAs.
The state would incur costs through the requirements to create and administer the Purple Star
Program. MDE has noted that, although the program has already been created, the department
would require 0.5 FTE positions and between $100,000 and $200,000 annually to manage and
operate the program.
POSITIONS:
A representative of the U.S. Department of Defense testified in support of the bill. (6-18-24)
The Michigan Department of Education indicated support for the bill. (11-12-24)
Legislative Analyst: Josh Roesner
Fiscal Analysts: Jacqueline Mullen
Noel Benson
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 4027 (H-2) as reported from committee Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-2): 380.1, 380.1852
House Introduced Bill: 380.1, 380.1852
As Passed by the House: 380.1, 380.1852