SB 51 establishes the Black Leadership Advisory Council to address racial inequity in Michigan. The council, composed of 15 governor-appointed members (including representation from specific fields like health and education, an immigrant expert, and a member aged 18-35), must develop policies to eliminate discrimination in areas like housing, employment, and healthcare. It is required to identify discriminatory state laws, collaborate with the governor on equitable legislation, and submit annual reports. The council operates independently but receives department staff support, with no compensation for members beyond expense reimbursement.
HB 4548 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, including antisemitism. It defines antisemitism as discriminatory conduct or communication motivated by hatred of Jews, covering specific acts like denying the Holocaust, accusing Jews of collective responsibility, or making dehumanizing stereotypes (as listed in sections i-xii of the bill). The law protects individuals in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education from such discrimination, while clarifying that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other nations is not covered (exception xiii). This expands existing protections under the act to specifically address antisemitic discrimination without altering other protected categories like religion or race.
House Bill 4475 proposes to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's vaccination status or whether they possess an "immunity passport." It would prevent state or local governmental entities, private universities, and community colleges from denying services, goods, educational opportunities, healthcare, or employment for these reasons. Employers would also be prohibited from discriminating against individuals in hiring, termination, or terms of employment due to vaccination status. The bill includes specific exceptions, such as for certain child care organizations, federal contractors, and regulated entities whose funding depends on compliance with federal health regulations. Additionally, it allows vaccination requirements for employees in roles with direct exposure to infectious materials or in public health/medical settings where vaccinations are necessary for their duties.
HB 5021 requires local labor organizations representing casino gaming employees in Michigan to register biennially with the Gaming Control Board and provide detailed personal information about designated individuals, including home addresses, Social Security numbers, criminal history (even expunged convictions), fingerprints, and employment details. The bill establishes disqualification grounds for union officers or employees if they have certain criminal convictions (including gambling, theft, fraud, or prostitution-related offenses), made false statements, or engage in ongoing criminal activity for economic gain. Disqualification for prostitution charges specifically applies only if the individual has an ongoing pattern of such behavior, not isolated incidents. This bill directly affects union leaders in Michigan's casino industry by creating new transparency requirements and eligibility standards for their roles.
HB 4197 establishes Michigan's "Bill of Rights for the Homeless," creating new legal protections for individuals experiencing homelessness. It guarantees rights including free movement in public spaces, equal access to services and employment (without discrimination over lack of permanent address), emergency medical care, voting access, and privacy protections for records shared with shelters. The bill also allows local governments to create designated "safe outdoor spaces" for encampments and provides legal remedies for violations, such as court orders or damages. It directly affects homeless residents across Michigan, particularly youth aged 13-23, by prohibiting discrimination in public services, housing, and schools. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.
HB 4866 updates Michigan's lead-based paint regulations for renovations, repairs, and painting in older buildings. It adopts federal EPA standards with key modifications, setting specific lead dust limits (e.g., 5 micrograms per square foot on floors) and requiring post-renovation testing to ensure safety. The bill directly affects renovation contractors, property owners, and child-occupied facilities (like schools) in pre-1978 buildings where lead paint may be present. It clarifies enforcement by Michigan’s Department of Health, updates certification rules for firms, and establishes fines up to $13,000 per violation for noncompliance. The changes aim to protect public health by reducing lead exposure during renovation work.
HB 4228 requires Michigan's Department of State Police and its Office of School Safety to provide annual training to all school staff, school resource officers, and school safety personnel in public and nonpublic schools. The training covers key safety topics including threat assessment protocols (based on the Secret Service's guidelines), de-escalation techniques, emergency response procedures, cultural competence, mental health services, and legal authority in school settings. It also mandates specific legal training from the Attorney General's office on officers' authority and security personnel limitations. The bill directly affects every school employee in Michigan by establishing standardized safety training requirements.
HB 4660 would allow Michigan public school employees to name a special needs trust as a beneficiary for their retirement benefits, expanding current options. Currently, beneficiaries must be immediate family members (spouse, child, parent, or sibling), but this bill would explicitly permit special needs trusts. The change directly affects retirees who wish to provide for dependents with disabilities through legally structured trust arrangements. This amendment to Section 85 of Michigan's Retirement Act would update beneficiary designation rules without altering payment amounts or retirement eligibility.
HB 4603 imposes a progressive surcharge on Michigan corporations required to disclose pay ratios under federal SEC rules (17 CFR 229.402(u)). The surcharge rate (0% to 50%) increases based on the corporation's disclosed CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio, starting October 1, 2025. It applies only to corporations already filing these SEC disclosures, with rates rising from 0% for ratios under 50:1 up to 50% for ratios of 500:1 or higher. The surcharge is calculated on the corporation’s state tax liability before credits and is administered under Michigan’s existing tax laws. It does not apply to corporations not required to file state tax returns.
HB 4464 requires Michigan health insurers to provide dependent coverage until age 26 without discrimination based on a child's birth status, tax filing, or residence. It mandates coverage for newborns from birth (including congenital defects) and prohibits lifetime or annual dollar limits on essential health benefits like emergency care, hospitalization, and maternity services. The bill also requires insurers to cover specific preventive services - such as evidence-based screenings and immunizations recommended by federal guidelines - without cost-sharing for eligible patients. These requirements apply to most individual and small group health insurance plans in Michigan, excluding grandfathered plans, retiree coverage, and short-term policies.
