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Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance

A stipend for child care during drill and annual training, for a single parent or where both parents are Guard members. Up to 12 hours a day and 39 days a year, created in December 2025.

Also called: 32.451, 32.453, child care assistance, single parent, drill weekend, annual training, 39 days, 12 hours, 2025 PA 37.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

The Michigan National Guard child care assistance act, 2025 PA 37, took immediate effect on December 9, 2025 and solves a problem that has no federal answer: a drill weekend is not active duty, so the military child care system is not open, and a Guard member who cannot arrange Saturday and Sunday cover is a Guard member who does not attend. Who qualifies. An eligible member is a member of the Michigan National Guard in active service, not absent without leave or under charges under the Michigan Code of Military Justice, who meets any other criteria the adjutant general sets consistent with recruiting and retention requirements. That is the same eligibility formula the tuition assistance act uses. Then a second and much narrower filter. The adjutant general shall approve an application only if there is sufficient money in the fund and if either the eligible member is a single parent, or the eligible member's spouse is also an eligible member. Two Guard members married to each other qualify. A Guard member married to a civilian does not, however the civilian's work is scheduled. That is a deliberate limit and it is the first thing to check. What is paid. A stipend at a rate established annually by the adjutant general, who also determines the total amount of assistance available in any fiscal year, with the amount applying equally to all eligible members. The statute sets no dollar figure, so the rate has to be obtained from the department. The ceiling. Assistance is provided for not more than 12 hours a day for weekend drills and annual training, up to a maximum of 39 days each year. Thirty-nine days is the shape of a Guard year: twenty-four drill days and fifteen days of annual training. What it is paid from. The Michigan National Guard member benefit fund created by 2025 PA 31, which also carries the TRICARE premium reimbursement program and the reimbursement half of tuition assistance. Approval is expressly contingent on there being sufficient money in that fund. The adjutant general may promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedures Act, and as with the other two 2025 programs the operating detail will sit in departmental policy rather than in the section.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Michigan National Guard Child Care Assistance
GateRule
A Guard member in active service and in good standingMembership in the Michigan National Guard in active service, not absent without leave or under Michigan Code of Military Justice charges, plus any criteria the adjutant general sets.
A single parent, or two Guard members married to each otherThe adjutant general approves an application only where the eligible member is a single parent or the member’s spouse is also an eligible member. A Guard member married to a civilian is outside the program.
12 hours a day, 39 days a yearAssistance is provided for not more than 12 hours a day for weekend drills and annual training, to a maximum of 39 days each year.
A rate set annually, and contingent on the fundThe stipend rate is established annually by the adjutant general and applies equally to all eligible members. Approval is contingent on sufficient money in the Michigan National Guard member benefit fund.

Sources

Legislation

Law the tracker is watching for this entry. See the legislation tracker for every jurisdiction.

2025 PA 31, PA 36 and PA 37 Created a National Guard member benefit fund and put child care and TRICARE reimbursement on it

Catalog reconciledEnactedProgram created

Signed Takes effect

  1. Introduced Done, , step 1 of 6
  2. In committee Done, , step 2 of 6
  3. Passed one chamber Done, , step 3 of 6
  4. Passed both chambers Done, , step 4 of 6
  5. Signed by the governor Done, , step 5 of 6
  6. In effect Done, , step 6 of 6

Expands benefits Created a National Guard member benefit fund that pays child care and TRICARE reimbursement.

Three acts effective December 9, 2025. PA 31 created the Michigan National Guard member benefit fund. PA 37 created the Guard child care assistance program, paying a stipend at a rate the adjutant general sets annually for up to 12 hours a day of care for weekend drills and annual training, to a maximum of 39 days a year, but only where the member is a single parent or the member’s spouse is also an eligible member. PA 36 created the TRICARE premium reimbursement program for individual TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE Dental premiums. A fourth act, PA 38, amended the tuition assistance act so that the reimbursement route draws on the new fund and the unencumbered balance of the tuition assistance fund at the end of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 transferred into it. Tracked because three programs now compete for one pot and each is expressly contingent on there being sufficient money in it.

Sponsor

  • Ron RobinsonHouse, District 58

Touches MCL § 32.491 · MCL § 32.453 · MCL § 32.473 · MCL § 32.434

Also touches

Official record

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.