Detroit City Wire

State Representative Rylee Linting has endorsed legislation aimed at assisting military families and students settling in Michigan. House Bill 4367 proposes the establishment of a Purple Star Program for public schools, designed to support children of military personnel who frequently change schools due to their parents' assignments.

The bill mandates the appointment of a school staff member as a liaison between school staff, military students, and their families. It also requires updates to school websites to include information on enrollment, registration, academic planning, counseling, and other services. Additionally, it seeks to create various school programs that encourage engagement and acknowledge the sacrifices made by military members and their families.

The program is intended for students with current or former armed forces members as parents and those whose servicemember parents were killed in action.

"Transitioning from location to location in a military family can be extremely stressful for young kids," said Linting, representing Grosse Ile. "In many cases, military families have a difficult time even finding information on enrolling their kids in a local school when they arrive. This plan will provide these types of resources and foster a welcoming environment within a new school setting."

Linting further noted that with President Trump recently announcing a new fighter jet mission for Selfridge Air Base in Macomb County, Michigan is expected to see increased military activity. The region will be welcoming service members and their families from across the country into local communities. "Purple Star programs help these heroes and their families," she added, "and I’ll continue to stand up for our service members and veterans in the Legislature."

Currently, 37 states have implemented the Purple Star Program. Following substantial bipartisan support in the House, HB 4367 now advances to the Senate for consideration.