HB 5180 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Worker's compensation: benefits; infectious disease presumption for essential employees during a declared emergency; provide for. Amends sec. 405 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.405).

HB 5180 expands worker's compensation benefits for certain first responders by creating a presumption that specific cancers arise from job duties during emergencies. It applies to firefighters, police, and emergency medical personnel with 60+ months of active service who developed covered cancers (like lung, bladder, or breast cancer) due to exposure while on duty. The bill establishes the "Christopher R. Slezak first responder presumed coverage fund" as the primary source for benefits, requiring claimants to first seek pension benefits or prove ineligibility. It also allows rebuttal of the presumption only through scientific evidence showing tobacco use was a significant factor in the cancer. The law affects current and former essential emergency service workers directly, not general employees.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Oct 30, 2025 Last action Nov 4, 2025