SB 6 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Labor: fair employment practices; various employer requirements; provide for. Amends secs. 1, 7, 11, 13, 13a, 14, 15, 18 & 19 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.471 et seq.) & adds secs. 13c & 13d.

SB 6 updates Michigan's wage law to strengthen employee protections around pay deductions. It requires written employee consent for most wage deductions (including charitable contributions to nonprofits) and limits overpayment deductions to 15% of gross wages without consent. The bill clarifies that fringe benefits (like vacation pay) are separate from wages and creates new rules for employers dealing with independent contractors. These changes directly affect employers across Michigan and their employees who receive wages or fringe benefits.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action May 14, 2025

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What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-1) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to clarify definitions regarding independent contractors and to significantly expand the rules governing wage deductions. The changes introduce a new definition for 'payers' and restrict the definition of 'independent contractors' to those specifically determined under a new section. Additionally, the rules for deducting overpayments from employee wages were tightened to require written explanations and limit the deduction amount to 15% of gross wages, while also clarifying the conditions under which deductions can be made without consent.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new definitions for 'payer' and 'independent contractor,' and the applicability of wage deduction rules was modified to include specific protections for employees regarding overpayment deductions and charitable contributions.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'payer' to clarify who pays remuneration to independent contractors.

Modified the definition of 'independent contractor' to reference a new section 13c, narrowing the criteria for who qualifies.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for deducting overpaid wages, including a mandatory written explanation to the employee at least one pay period before the deduction and a cap of 15% of gross wages.

Clarified that the error causing an overpayment must be made by the employer, employee, or their representatives, and added rules for deducting charitable contributions.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 14, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

upper

May 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 5/13/2025

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR KEVIN HERTEL

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors