Lansing Update: MCC Supports Proposed School Safety Policies
Posted March 28, 2025
School Safety Reforms Resurface in House with MCC Support
The state would be required to develop and provide safety and security training and material to school officials and staff—including those in nonpublic schools—in legislation supported by Michigan Catholic Conference this week.
House Bill 4228 is part of a broader school safety legislative package to implement policies to help schools more effectively protect students and staff. Some of the policies in this current package have been contemplated by the Legislature—but not yet approved—across multiple sessions since 2021, when the tragic shooting incident at Oxford High School in Oakland County prompted this legislative push to implement school safety policies.
Some portions of the school safety initiative, however, did pass the Legislature last session and were signed into law earlier this year by the Governor with MCC support.
MCC has supported certain iterations of school safety legislation throughout the years and worked to include nonpublic schools in the legislation in ways that will ensure nonpublic schools can access the same protections being offered to other schools.
In House Bill 4228, sponsored by Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids), the legislation would require several state agencies—including the Michigan State Police, Attorney General and Department of Education—to develop and provide school staff annual training across several topics related to school safety.
Some of the topics listed in the legislation include emergency operations plans and emergency response procedures, de-escalation tactics and techniques, crisis intervention and prevention, mental health services, and more.
The bill stipulates that training be provided to school resource officers, school safety or security personnel, and all school staff in both public and nonpublic schools.
MCC supported two other bills in the school safety package that were presented to a House committee this week for testimony only. Those bills are:
- House Bill 4226, sponsored by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte), would increase the minimum number of lockdown drills schools must conduct annually from three to four drills, and ensure one of those drills take place outside the classroom during a lunch or recess period. The bill would also reduce fire drills from eight to seven a year.
- House Bill 4258, sponsored by Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia), would require notifying a school if the State Police receives a tip related to that school, in addition to notifying local law enforcement.
The committee only heard testimony on a portion of the entire school safety package this week, as there are other bills in the works that MCC will review and consider supporting.
New Focus Publication: ‘Seeing Christ in the Immigrant’
The newest edition of MCC’s quarterly Focus publication, titled “Seeing Christ in the Immigrant,” is now available in print and online at micatholic.org/migration, in both English and Spanish.
To support and expand upon the Pastoral Note to Migrants that the Catholic bishops in Michigan issued recently, MCC dedicated its latest Focus to the complex and often-contentious issue of immigration.
The purpose for MCC’s Focus publication is to present the Catholic perspective on public policy issues to the faithful as well as the general public. This edition of Focus shares how the Church’s perspective on immigration is guided by the fundamental Catholic social doctrines of upholding human dignity and caring for the poor and vulnerable.
To help readers understand the often life-and-death experiences of immigrants, the publication presents first-hand stories of migrants and their families while also explaining why and how the Catholic church serves refugees and those who have fled foreign countries. Frequently asked questions about the Church’s teaching regarding immigration are also addressed.
A dedicated web resource on the topic provides additional resources beyond what is present in the print edition, including the perspective of immigration attorneys who speak to the difficulties of the country’s immigration system and their work to assist migrants with legal processes.
The online package is intended to provide a broad perspective for Catholic readers who otherwise may not have access to or familiarity with the day-to-day struggles and experiences of those fleeing rampant poverty, war, crime, and hostile governments.
Parishes interested in placing bulk orders of the print edition may contact the MCC for additional copies. Otherwise, the digital version can be viewed or shared here.
Reflecting on the Church’s Mission to Help Mothers on the Annunciation
This past Tuesday—March 25—was the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which recognizes and celebrates when Our Lady responded to her call to become the Mother of God.
The Annunciation is also when Pope St. John Paul II published Evangelium Vitae—the Gospel of Life—which U.S. bishops have cited as inspiration for their Walking With Moms in Need initiative that launched on the Solemnity five years ago this week.
Since its launch, parishes across the country and in Michigan have embraced the mission of the Walking With Moms in Need initiative: To ensure parish communities are equipped to assist local pregnant mothers in need by accompanying them and connecting them with local resources to support their pregnancy and parenthood.
The overarching goal is to counter the abortion culture by offering to women with unwanted or unexpected pregnancies love, support, and access to necessary material items to help them choose life and to bring their child to term.
To read more about the impact of Walking With Moms in Need in Michigan, Detroit Catholic published an article in November 2024 looking at how parishes in the Archdiocese have responded to the call.
For more about how the Church in Michigan and beyond walks with mothers in need, MCC also published a report on helping pregnant mothers in a 2022 edition of Focus.
Legislature Heading to Spring Break
Legislative activities in Lansing will slow down over the next few weeks as both chambers will not have regular session due to spring break.
The Senate spring break began this week and will continue next week, with the chamber set to return to regular session the week of April 8.
The House will be off session for the next two weeks and is scheduled to return to its regular session the week of April 15.