BAN PROMOTION OF BALLOT ISSUES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

House Bill 5166

Sponsor: Rep. James Koetje

Committee: Constitutional Law and Ethics

Complete to 8-24-00

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5166 AS INTRODUCED 12-7-99

The bill would add a new section to the Revised School Code to prohibit public school employees or volunteers from promoting a cause or ballot question at school during school hours, or during a school-sponsored event in areas where students might be present.

More specifically, the bill would prohibit public school employees and volunteers from promoting a cause or position on a ballot question at school during school hours, or at school-sponsored events, in areas where students might be present, by doing any of the following:

making comments to pupils,

wearing a button or other such item,

displaying literature or a sign, banner, or similar item.

The bill also would prohibit public school employees and volunteers from sending home with pupils any communication promoting a cause or position on a ballot question, but would not prohibit "impartial discussion, study, or display of items concerning a ballot question, political candidate, cause, or campaign as part of the study of history, government, political science, or a similar subject."

MCL 380.1318

Analyst: S. Ekstrom

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.