LANSING, Mich. — State Representative Gina Johnsen (R-Portland), joined by Representatives Joe Fox, Jamie Thompson, and several colleagues, announced the introduction of a House resolution urging the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education to reject the proposed Health Education Standards Framework.

“House Resolution 194 is about accountability, parental rights, and the rule of law,” said Johnsen. “Parents, not bureaucrats, have the fundamental right to direct the moral and educational upbringing of their children.”

Under Michigan law, sex education must be locally controlled, transparent, and optional. Johnsen noted that the proposed framework embeds lessons on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation within required health instruction, removing parental choice and undermining local authority.

“Our schools should be focused on improving reading, writing, and math, not advancing ideology or replacing the values taught at home,” Johnsen said. “Families, faith, and freedom remain the foundation of Michigan’s communities, and that must be reflected in our classrooms.”

A public hearing on the proposed standards will be held on Tuesday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Child Welfare, chaired by Rep. Luke Meerman, in Room 308 of the House Anderson Building. Johnsen encouraged parents, educators, and citizens to attend and make their voices heard.

“This is about more than education standards,” Johnsen concluded. “It is about who gets to raise and guide our children. Parents or the State. With this resolution and through the upcoming hearing, we are standing firm for Michigan families and for the rights of parents to decide what is best for their children.”

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