MI HB5861

Creates the Office of the Student Victims' Rights Ombudsman within the Department of Education, designated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve as principal executive officer.

Ombudsman duties include assisting students and parents in understanding rights related to sexual misconduct by school employees, investigating potential policy violations, reviewing district policies for compliance with law, and issuing statewide guidance on best practices.

Students or parents may submit requests to the ombudsman seeking aid with concerns and grievances related to sexual misconduct by school employees, and school districts must cooperate with ombudsman investigations and release requested information.

Amends Section 1535a to update language regarding teaching certificate suspension and revocation procedures for individuals convicted of specified crimes, replacing gendered pronouns with gender-neutral terminology throughout the section.

Maintains existing procedures for notification, hearings, summary suspension, reinstatement eligibility, and annual reporting to the legislature regarding actions taken against teaching certificates.