The bill proposes the creation of a temporary commission to update African-American history in K-12 education in Michigan, as outlined in the newly added Section 1164 of the Revised School Code. The commission will be staffed and supported by the Department of Education and will consist of representatives from various academic institutions and organizations, including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, the NAACP Michigan conference, the Charles H. Wright Museum, and the Jim Crow Museum. The governor is tasked with appointing the commission members within 90 days of the bill's enactment, and the commission is required to hold its first meeting within 120 days.

The commission's responsibilities include reviewing current academic curriculum standards and providing recommendations for age-appropriate instruction on African-American history, which must be submitted to the state board and relevant legislative committees within a year of its first meeting. The bill mandates that starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all school districts and public school academies must provide instruction on African-American history at all grade levels. Additionally, assessments related to social studies will include questions on African-American history, ensuring that this subject is integrated into the educational framework. The commission members will serve without compensation, and the bill emphasizes compliance with open meeting laws and the Freedom of Information Act.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 380.1, 380.1852