Labor: fair employment practices; employee who is or who intends to become a candidate for public office; prohibit an employer from discriminating against the employee based on. Creates new act.

HB 5215 prohibits Michigan employers from firing, punishing, or threatening employees who are running for public office or intend to run, including during nonworking hours for campaign activities. It directly affects employees seeking public office and their employers across all sectors in Michigan. Employers violating the law face civil fines up to $2,000, and affected employees can sue for lost wages or seek court orders to stop discrimination. The bill creates new legal remedies while clarifying that existing employment agreements conflicting with these protections will be superseded after their expiration.