Michigan legislature passes bill exempting graduations from cap limits

LANSING, Mich. — While restrictions are still in place for large gatherings– the Michigan legislature just made an exception.

The House and Senate voted on Wednesday to exempt high school graduation ceremonies from emergency capacity limits. The bill allows high schools to make their own decisions on how to hold their commencement ceremonies.

The Republican-controlled legislature is just awaiting Governor Whitmer’s signature. Senator Mallory McMorrow was the lone Democrat in the Senate to vote yes to the proposal.

“Nobody doesn’t want to get back to normal,” McMorrow said. “Everybody wants graduation ceremonies, birthday parties, weddings, dinners. I will be voting yes on this bill, but it is with a heavy heart that we are not doing more to get this state and our communities out of this pandemic.”

The bill passed by a 21-15 vote in the Senate and a 60-48 vote in the House. While both bodies did pass the policy with bipartisanship, House Democrats voiced their opposition to the bill.

“We want to be able to celebrate the thousands of Michigan high school seniors across the state,” Rep. Darrin Camilleri said. “But we have to do so safely, we have to do so in a way that protects everyone.”