Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Michigan House Bill HR0074

Introduced
4/30/25  

Caption

A resolution to declare April 2025 as Handwriting Month in the state of Michigan.

Summary

House Resolution 74 is a commemorative resolution that declares April 2025 as Handwriting Month in Michigan. The resolution emphasizes the educational, cognitive, and historical value of handwriting, citing research that writing by hand can improve memory and brain connectivity, especially for school-age children, and noting that cursive writing can support fine motor development, reading comprehension, and written communication. The resolution also highlights the practical importance of cursive signatures for everyday documents such as mortgages, student loans, checks, deeds, and titles, and connects handwriting to American civic history through the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and John Hancock’s signature. It closes by expressing support for children’s ability to read, write, and conduct their own research.

Impact

This resolution does not amend the Michigan Compiled Laws, create a new regulatory program, or impose duties on state agencies, schools, or private parties. Its legal effect is symbolic: it designates April 2025 as Handwriting Month in Michigan and expresses legislative support for handwriting and cursive instruction. The practical impact is limited to public recognition and awareness, though it may be used to encourage educational emphasis on penmanship and literacy.

Sentiment

The available text shows strongly positive sentiment toward the resolution. The sponsors frame handwriting as an important educational skill, a cognitive aid, and a civic tradition, and the resolution’s closing language explicitly supports children’s reading, writing, and independent research. No opposing views, committee objections, or recorded negative votes are provided in the available materials.

Contention

No direct contention is documented in the bill text, voting history, or committee materials provided. The only potentially debatable policy theme is the resolution’s implicit preference for handwriting and cursive instruction, which some observers might view as competing with digital literacy priorities, but no such criticism appears in the record here. Because there are no transcripts or votes, there is no evidence of formal disagreement among legislators.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MI HR0060

A resolution to declare April 2025 as Community College Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0275

A resolution to declare April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0058

A resolution to declare April 2025 as Autism Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0072

A resolution to declare April 2025 as Financial Literacy Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0081

A resolution to declare May 2025 as Michigan Moves Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0056

A resolution to declare April 2025 as Scottish-American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0062

A resolution to declare April 2025 as County Government Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0272

A resolution to declare April 2026 as County Government Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0087

A resolution to declare May 2025 as Boating Safety Month in the state of Michigan.

MI HR0274

A resolution to declare April 2026 as National Donate Life Month in the state of Michigan.

Similar Bills

ID S1044

Adds to existing law to provide for a cursive handwriting proficiency requirement in public schools.

NJ A407

Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum.

NJ S2797

Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum.

NJ A3199

Provides that will is not valid unless signed by testator or substantially written in testator's handwriting.

NJ A1713

Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum for grades three through five.

WV HB5394

Recall of county commission or county board of education positions

ME LD78

Resolve, Directing the Department of Education to Collect Data on Cursive Instruction in Maine Public Schools

WV HB3202

Recall of county commission or county board of education positions