The Michigan Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill to require more teaching on genocide and the Holocaust in Michigan schools on Thursday.

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe.

Senate Bill 1075 would require Michigan students to receive six hours of instruction on genocide, including but not limited to the Holocaust, between grades 8 and 12. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, proposed the bill.

The bill passed 37 to 0, with one lawmaker not voting, according to online records.

The bill also requires Gov. Rick Snyder to create the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education within 60 days of the bill’s passage. The council would advise the Michigan Department of Education and local schools on curriculum. The bill mandates the council be paid for with private dollars and no state funding.

In an interview in October, Richardville said the bill is intended to honor Holocaust survivors and members of the military who fought in World War II.

“People need to know why we fought in that world war and why we risked our lives for the lives of other humans,” Richardville said.

The bill now moves to the Michigan House of Representatives. Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, introduced a similar measure in that chamber earlier this year.

The bills also want to ensure questions about the Holocaust and/or genocide are on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) and Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) tests given to students starting in 2015-16.

If it becomes law, the bill could mean additional expenses for the Michigan Department of Education when making sure curriculum would fit the standards set out by the legislation.

The bill has to pass before the end of the legislative session on Dec. 18, the end of Michigan’s “lame duck” period for lawmakers.

Read more about the House and Senate bills requiring more genocide education.

Kyle Feldscher is the Capitol education and MSU reporter for MLive Media Group. Reach him via email at kylefeldscher@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter at @Kyle_Feldscher. Read more stories here.