HB 5554 Summary

• Creates the Office of the Higher Education Ombudsman within the legislative council to investigate complaints concerning public universities and their employees.

• Ombudsman may investigate upon own initiative or receipt of legislator complaints regarding administrative acts, civil rights violations, sexual misconduct, or other law violations by public universities.

• Ombudsman has authority to access university records and documents without release requirements, conduct inspections, hold informal hearings, and request testimony and evidence from university employees and students.

• Ombudsman must notify complainants within 10 business days whether investigation will proceed and must submit findings reports to the council within 10 business days of completing investigations.

• Appropriates necessary funds to the legislative council (not to exceed the amount appropriated for the Michigan veterans' facility ombudsman) for fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and prohibits public universities from penalizing those who cooperate with ombudsman investigations.