LANSING, Mich., Feb. 18, 2026 — State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) hosted a press conference today to introduce the Michigan Students’ Access to Freedom and Educational Rights (SAFER) Act. The legislation, a two-bill package introduced alongside state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), is designed to enhance protections for students facing harassment in educational settings. Currently, federal law is insufficient to hold schools accountable when harassment takes place, but the SAFER Act would clarify rules around harassment in schools and ensure students’ privacy is protected.
“Schools should be places of learning, exploration and growth,” Dievendorf said. “But right now, federal law simply does not do enough to protect students who have faced harassment or bullying in schools. By strengthening existing rights for students to hold their school accountable in Michigan courts and avoiding the shortcomings of federal law, the SAFER Act will better ensure no student has to go to school in a toxic or hostile environment.”
“My bill in this package is specifically designed to protect students with disabilities because we know they can often face harassment or bullying in schools,” Pohutsky said. “The SAFER Act will ensure that all students feel safe and secure in their learning environments. When an incident is reported, quick action needs to be taken, the student’s privacy needs to be protected and they need to be given the resources to excel in and out of the classroom. This is simple legislation to make sure no one feels unsafe at school and every student can have the mental space needed to learn at their full potential.”
The bills establish that schools and institutions are liable if their employees or other students engage in harassment that interferes with a student’s ability to learn effectively. The SAFER Act mandates a clear responsibility for schools to address both direct and indirect forms of harassment and to take quick corrective actions when incidents are reported.
“All Michigan students and teachers deserve to learn and work in safe schools,” said Elizabeth Tang, Senior Counsel at the National Women’s Law Center. “Federal laws don’t adequately protect them from harassment and violence based on sex, race, disability and other protected traits. The SAFER Act would build on and strengthen Michigan laws to provide harassment victims with comprehensive supportive measures, fair and trauma-informed investigations or restorative processes and protections from retaliation. The National Women’s Law Center is proud to endorse the SAFER Act.”
The legislation further requires schools to provide resources and services, such as supportive measures that ensure equal access to education, including no-contact orders and counseling. Each school will also designate confidential employees who can guide students on reporting procedures without being required to disclose the harassment report, providing an additional layer of safety for victims who may fear retaliation.
“Not only does this legislation protect students’ rights in court, but it also provides them with resources to continue learning at their full potential,” Dievendorf added. “Protecting students’ privacy and preventing retaliation against them is critical to ensure their learning environment stays healthy, safe and productive. At the end of the day, this legislation is about making sure our kids feel secure in schools, so they can focus on learning, advancing and expanding their minds.”
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