Executive Order 2025-1: Executive Reorganization

All students deserve to feel safe in school so they can focus on learning and achieve their full potential. We must do everything in our power to help reduce the chance of school violence and to identify and support children who are in crisis. Throughout my time in office, we have made historic, bipartisan efforts to support student mental health and to help secure the safety of our schools so that our kids can thrive both in and out of the classroom. To continue to help our students and schools in these efforts, it is important to have a single body within state government entirely dedicated to school safety and mental health and comprised of members that represent all critical viewpoints.

The School Safety and Mental Health Commission under the Michigan Department of Education, as originally established in MCL 388.1697e, was repealed in 2024 by Public Act 120. That Commission had similar goals to the Michigan State Police’s School Safety and Mental Health Commission, formerly known as the School Safety Commission, which was renamed and reconstituted in Enrolled House Bill 5659 that I proudly signed into law on January 22, 2025. The Department of Education’s School Safety and Mental Health Commission made tremendous efforts in reaching their goals and stands as an example of what a good government board can achieve. To best position the new School Safety and Mental Health Commission, reconstituted in Enrolled House Bill 5659, on a pathway to success, I am issuing this Order to ensure that each critical view, voice, and role continues to be a part of this important work.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor.

Section 8 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 obligates the governor to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, I order the following:

School Safety and Mental Health Commission

(1) In addition to the members listed in Section 6 (2) of Enrolled House Bill 5659, the following member is added to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission (“Commission”) to be appointed by the Governor: 

(a) One member who is a prosecutor.

(2) In addition to the department heads listed in Section 6 (3) of Enrolled House Bill 5659, the following shall be added as an ex officio member of the Commission:

(a) The Director of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential or her or his designee.

(3) The first individual appointed to the seat added in Section 1 of this Order shall serve a 4-year term. After the first appointment, the term for this member shall be 4 years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later.

(4) The department heads (or their designees) referenced in Section 6 (3) of Enrolled House Bill 5659 and in Section 2 of this Order who are ex officio members of the Commission shall have voting rights.

(5) In addition to the duties set forth in Section 6 (12)(a)-(e) of Enrolled House Bill 5659, the Commission may also review and make recommendations related to school safety measures including but not limited to:

(a) The development and evaluation of school safety model practices;

(b) A review of the statewide school safety information policy and the emergency operations plans;

(c) The role of school safety liaisons;

(d) The emerging trends in school safety technology;

(e) The baseline safety requirements for schools;

(f) The baseline hardening measures for new and existing schools.

(6) Unless expressly modified here, all other powers, duties, or requirements regarding the School Safety and Mental Health Commission set forth in Enrolled House Bill 5659 shall continue to be in effect.