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Committee hears bills to let homeschool parents teach segment‑one driver education
Summary
Representative Maddock presented HB 5977/5978 to allow parents of homeschooled students to deliver the segment‑one driver‑education curriculum while preserving state testing and graduated license hours; members questioned scope, liability, and Secretary of State review timelines.
Representative Maddock told the committee HB 5977 and 5978 would allow parents who homeschool their children to provide the segment‑one driver education instruction (behind‑the‑wheel portion) while keeping existing state testing and graduated‑driver‑license (GDL) requirements intact. He said the proposal preserves the required on‑road instruction hours for segment one (six hours behind the wheel as described in testimony), requires parents to submit a signed certificate to the Secretary of State, and leaves final licensing decisions and testing to the state.
Maddock said private driver‑education programs currently cost "between $4 to $650" (as stated in testimony) and that Michigan’s GDL system — not the delivery agent — is the primary safety mechanism; he cited other states where parent‑taught models exist. He estimated roughly 100,000 homeschool students statewide and suggested 6,000–9,000 newly eligible 16‑year‑olds could use the option annually.
Members questioned the bill’s scope and safeguards. Representative Brock asked whether the bills apply only to homeschool students; Maddock said yes as drafted. Representative Miller asked about the bill’s requirement that the Secretary of State approve or reject the parent certification within 10 business days and whether the timeline could be extended; Maddock said the committee could adjust the time frame and that he would consider extending it. Miller and others also raised whether there is accountability or liability if a parent’s instruction is inadequate; the sponsor said the policy analysis language would provide immunity "if submitted in good faith and in substantial compliance." Members urged preserving testing and GDL standards as the key safety checks.
Representative Bonac and others asked whether the policy unfairly benefits homeschool families over other parents; members discussed possibly broadening the option later. Several members noted a shortage of licensed driver‑education instructors in the state and said allowing parent instruction could expand access.
A card noting opposition from Nick Andre of the Michigan Department of State was filed (Andre was listed as opposing but did not deliver live testimony at the table). The committee did not vote on HB 5977 or 5978 during this meeting and discussion will continue in committee.
