MI HB5859

Establishes a learning loss recovery grant program and fund administered by the Department of Treasury to distribute grants to eligible students whose education was disrupted by COVID-19 school closures between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2022.

Eligible students must have been enrolled in a Michigan public school, public school academy, or nonpublic school for at least 2 semesters during the specified period and can receive up to $1,500 in total grants.

Grant funds may only be used to purchase educational supplies, opportunities, and supportive services through an online marketplace, including tutoring, software, trade courses, educational camps, learning pods, and curricula, but excluding nonpublic school tuition.

Distributes funds through three consecutive rounds with application periods from April to August 2022 and disbursement deadlines by September 1, 2022; at least 40% of funds in each round must go to applicants living at or below federal poverty guidelines, with priority given to students with lowest learning retention scores.

Appropriates $500,000,000 in available federal funding to the learning loss recovery fund.