Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4324: Individual income tax: administration; information for taxpayers regarding the classification of an individual as an independent contractor; incorporate in instruction booklet and provide notice to certain taxpayers. Amends sec. 471 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.471) & adds sec. 707a.

House Bill 4324 requires the Michigan Department of Treasury to provide taxpayers with information regarding the classification of individuals as employees or independent contractors. Starting with the 2025 tax year, the annual income tax instruction booklet must include a page explaining the rules and factors for this classification. This page will also provide contact information for reporting suspected payroll fraud to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Attorney General. Additionally, the department will send a direct notice containing this information to each individual reported on a Form 1099-MISC filed with the state. The bill aims to inform individual taxpayers about worker classification and provide resources for reporting potential misclassification.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents worker misclassification as independent contractors, protecting access to employment benefits and safety protections through tax guidance and fraud reporting channels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4322: Labor: hours and wages; penalties and remedies for misclassification of independent contractors; provide for. Amends secs. 1, 13, 15, 18 & 19 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.471 et seq.) & adds secs. 13c & 13d.

House Bill 4322 amends Michigan's wage and fringe benefits act, primarily addressing the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, which affects both employers and individuals performing work. The bill establishes a new legal definition for "independent contractor" and explicitly prohibits employers from classifying, reporting, or treating an employee as an independent contractor, placing the burden of proof on the alleged violator. It significantly increases penalties for misclassification, including a 100% annual penalty on unpaid wages and benefits, up to triple exemplary damages, and a civil fine up to $10,000. For misclassification violations, 50% of collected penalties and damages will be paid to the affected employee, and a new "wages and fringe benefits fund" is created to support enforcement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents misclassification of employees as contractors, imposes penalties, shifts burden of proof to employers - strengthens worker protections under wage laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SB 262: Retirement: state employees; annuity option; provide for. Amends secs. 55, 58, 63, 63a & 69 of 1943 PA 240 (MCL 38.55 et seq.).

Senate Bill 262 updates the State Employees' Retirement Act to provide new annuity options for state employees participating in Tier 2. It requires the state's retirement system to offer access to fixed annuity options, including those with a guaranteed lifetime income, and may also offer variable annuity options. The investment board is tasked with selecting at least two qualified annuity providers through a competitive process. These selected providers must meet specific financial strength, stability, and regulatory compliance criteria.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for state employees with guaranteed lifetime income annuity options, strengthening employment-related financial security.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4435: Labor: health and safety; prohibition related to promulgation of rules regarding workplace ergonomics; repeal. Repeals sec. 17 of 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1017).

House Bill 4435 proposes to repeal Section 17 of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act. This section currently prohibits the state from creating new rules related to workplace ergonomics. If enacted, this bill would remove that prohibition, allowing the state to develop and implement health and safety standards concerning ergonomics in various workplaces. This change could affect Michigan employers and their employees by potentially introducing new requirements to prevent injuries related to repetitive motions or other ergonomic hazards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepealing prohibition on ergonomics rules enables new workplace safety standards, strengthening worker injury prevention protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4440: Labor: health and safety; infectious disease worker safety commission; create. Amends 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1001 - 408.1094) by adding sec. 47.

HB 4440 proposes to create the Infectious Disease Worker Safety Commission within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. This commission, comprised of representatives from labor unions, management, and health care specialists, will determine best practices for employee safety during declared infectious disease emergencies. These practices include guidelines for personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and distancing requirements. The commission must prepare and publicly release a report of these determinations, which employers are required to post at their workplaces. If an employer fails to post the report, they cannot take disciplinary action against an employee who leaves or refuses to report to work during an infectious disease emergency.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates commission to set infectious disease safety standards for workers, directly advancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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signed · Michigan · Senate Jul 29, 2026

SB 301: Corporate income tax: credits; employer credit for paid organ donation leave; provide for. Amends secs. 30 & 623 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.30 & 206.623) & adds secs. 279 & 679.

SB 301 establishes a corporate income tax credit for employers who offer paid leave to employees donating organs. Beginning in 2026, eligible employers can claim a credit equal to 100% of the wages paid to an employee during up to 12 weeks of organ donation leave. To qualify, this leave must be separate from other paid leave benefits and compensate the employee at their full normal wage. The credit is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to three years to offset future tax liabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates corporate tax credit for paid organ donation leave, providing direct tax relief through a new credit mechanism under tax policy.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes tax credit for paid organ donation leave, expanding employee benefits under employment standards by ensuring full wage compensation during medical leave.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Paid Leave

passed · Michigan · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 310: Children: child care; tri-share child care program; establish. Amends 1973 PA 116 (MCL 722.111 - 722.128) by adding sec. 6b.

Senate Bill 310 establishes the tri-share child care program within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, continuing a previous pilot project. It also creates a dedicated tri-share child care fund in the state treasury to support this program. The department will administer this fund, using appropriated money to oversee the program and provide funding to existing child care facilitator hubs. New hubs may also be funded if sufficient resources are available to expand coverage to more counties or serve statewide employers. This aims to support child care access for families and providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated state fund for child care program using appropriated money, funding essential public service per budget allocation language95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes state-funded child care program, supporting workforce participation by enabling parents to maintain employment through accessible childcare services.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 308: Individual income tax: credit; working parent tax credit and advanced monthly payments of that credit; create and provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding sec. 272b.

Senate Bill 308 creates a new refundable "working parent tax credit" for eligible taxpayers in Michigan, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2025. This credit provides $5,500 per qualified dependent aged four or younger, for taxpayers with a household income not exceeding 150% of the state median income. The bill also establishes a program for the Department to issue monthly advance payments of this credit to qualified taxpayers. However, taxpayers enrolled in an Rx Kids program are not eligible for this credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit ($5,500 per dependent) for lower/middle-income working parents, directly providing tax relief and increasing disposable income for eligible households.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $5,500 per qualifying dependent via refundable tax credit, directly supporting working parents' financial stability and workforce participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Michigan · House May 22, 2025

HB 4514: Labor: fair employment practices; certain noncompete agreements for physicians; prohibit. Amends sec. 4a of 1984 PA 274 (MCL 445.774a).

House Bill 4514 amends the Michigan antitrust reform act to prohibit employers from requiring noncompete agreements for physicians. Specifically, it states that employers cannot obtain noncompete agreements from physicians. Any noncompete agreements entered into between an employer and a physician before this change takes effect would be voided if they are contrary to this new prohibition. The bill defines "physician" by referencing the public health code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits noncompete agreements for physicians, enhancing provider mobility and patient access to care, directly advancing healthcare access and fair employment practices.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits noncompete agreements for physicians, protecting their right to change employment without legal restrictions, advancing fair employment practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 4533: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for crime of assaulting or battering or endangering a health care professional; provide for. Amends sec. 16d, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.16d). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4532'25

HB 4533 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address crimes involving assaults, battering, or endangering healthcare professionals. The bill directly affects healthcare workers who are victims of such attacks, as well as courts that determine sentences for offenders. It establishes new, separate sentencing guidelines under MCL 777.16d for these offenses, ensuring they are treated with appropriate severity distinct from general assault charges. This change creates a clear policy mechanism for judges to apply consistent, elevated penalties when healthcare workers are targeted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific sentencing guidelines for assaults on healthcare workers, ensuring appropriate penalties and enhancing protection within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends sentencing guidelines to specifically protect healthcare professionals from assault, strengthening legal safeguards for medical workers within healthcare delivery systems.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes stricter sentencing for assaults against healthcare workers, directly protecting workplace safety for a specific worker group. This aligns with Labor & Employment's workplace safety focus by enhancing protection for victims of wor...80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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