Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 4625: Worker's compensation: other; certain references in the worker's compensation act; make gender neutral. Amends secs. 118, 335 & 353 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.118 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HJR F'25

HB 4625 updates Michigan's Worker's Compensation Act to replace gendered terms like "wife" with gender-neutral language such as "spouse" in Sections 118, 335, and 353. It specifically revises references to dependents (e.g., changing "dependent wife" to "dependent spouse") and clarifies definitions of household domestic servants and dependents. The bill directly affects workers, their spouses, and dependents receiving compensation under the act by ensuring language does not discriminate based on gender. This is a technical correction to align the law with modern gender-neutral standards, not a change to eligibility or benefit amounts. The bill does not alter existing compensation rules or create new benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates worker's compensation language to gender-neutral (e.g., 'spouse' vs. 'wife'), removing discrimination against same-sex spouses and ensuring equal benefit access for all dependents under the act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 127: A resolution urging the United States Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause operations at Job Corps centers across the country and specifically in Detroit.

HR 127 is a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause all Job Corps center operations by June 30, 2025, with specific focus on the Detroit center. It directly affects approximately 217 enrolled youth at the Detroit Job Corps Center, who were reportedly told to leave immediately on May 30, 2025, with reports of some facing homelessness. The resolution cites the program’s 60-year history of providing career training, high school completion, and wraparound services (like mental health support) to disadvantaged youth aged 16-24. It emphasizes that the sudden pause disrupts critical services for Detroit youth and communities, as 321 Michigan participants were enrolled at the Detroit center as of 2023. The resolution has no binding effect but formally requests the Department of Labor reverse its operational pause.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHR 127 seeks to reverse pause on Job Corps, a career training program providing high school completion and job skills, protecting educational access for youth enrolled in Detroit center.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUrges reversal of Job Corps pause, protecting youth employment training and preventing homelessness for 217 participants in a workforce development program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 437: Labor: public service employment; right to work; restore. Amends secs. 9, 10 & 15 of 1947 PA 336 (MCL 423.209 et seq.).

SB 437 amends Michigan's public employment law to prohibit most public employees from being required to pay union fees or dues as a condition of employment. It removes mandatory financial contributions to labor organizations for general public employees (excluding police, firefighters, and state troopers under specific constitutional provisions). The bill restores the pre-2023 policy that allows employees to choose whether to financially support a union, while preserving agreements for police/fire departments where such fees were previously permitted. This directly affects all non-exempt public workers in Michigan state and local government positions.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts mandatory union fees, limiting collective bargaining power and weakening union financial support for public employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 436: Labor: collective bargaining; right to work; restore. Amends secs. 1, 2, 14 & 17 of 1939 PA 176 (MCL 423.1 et seq.).

SB 436 amends Michigan's labor law to restore a "right to work" provision, prohibiting employers and labor organizations from requiring employees to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The bill explicitly bans mandatory union dues (Section 14(2)), making any agreement requiring such payments unlawful and unenforceable after its effective date. It also allocates $1 million to the Department of Labor for public education and implementation support regarding these changes. The bill directly affects employees (who can no longer be forced to pay union fees), employers (who cannot require such payments), and labor organizations (which must operate under voluntary membership).

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBans mandatory union dues, weakening collective bargaining by restricting union funding and membership obligations per Section 14(2).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 4516: Employment security: claimants; disqualification from benefits; modify. Amends sec. 29 of 1939 (Ex Sess) PA 1 (MCL 421.29).

HB 4516 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify when workers lose eligibility for benefits due to leaving jobs. It shifts the burden of proof to claimants to prove they left work "involuntarily" for employer-related reasons, rather than assuming voluntary departure. The bill adds specific exceptions where benefits aren't charged to employers, including for domestic violence victims, military spouses relocating due to service, and part-time workers switching employers. These changes directly affect unemployed workers applying for benefits who left their jobs, ensuring clearer standards for disqualification and employer accountability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds exceptions for domestic violence victims and military spouses, clarifying eligibility to protect vulnerable workers' access to unemployment benefits.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes military spouses relocating due to service as an exception to unemployment disqualification, supporting veteran family employment stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 1, 2025

SB 438: Labor: hours and wages; 2023 PA 10; repeal. Repeals 2023 PA 10 (MCL 408.1101 - 408.1126).

SB 438 repeals 2023 PA 10, which required prevailing wages and fringe benefits for workers on state construction projects. This bill directly affects state contractors and construction workers by removing the requirement to pay prevailing wages on state-funded projects. The repeal eliminates the specific legal provisions (MCL 408.1101-408.1126) that governed wage standards and penalties for noncompliance. As a procedural repeal, it makes no new policy changes but removes the existing law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepeals prevailing wage requirements (MCL 408.1101-408.1126) for state construction projects, removing mandated higher wages/benefits for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 12, 2025

HB 4758: Labor: other; reemployment and unemployment services for dislocated federal employees and veterans; provide for. Creates new act.

HB 4758 requires Michigan Works agencies to create teams providing job transition services to two groups: individuals who lost federal jobs involuntarily between January 2025 and January 2027 (dislocated federal employees), and veterans. The bill mandates these teams to analyze job matches with public employers, assess transferable skills, and refer individuals to both public and private employers needing staff. It also requires assistance with filing for unemployment benefits under Michigan’s existing employment security system. The law applies specifically to Michigan Works agencies and public employers like state/local governments, schools, and community colleges. This bill creates a new coordination framework but does not establish new benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates job transition services, unemployment assistance, and job referrals for dislocated federal employees and veterans, directly advancing reemployment and benefits access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly mandates job transition services for veterans through Michigan Works agencies, including skills assessment and employer referrals, directly supporting veteran employment initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development Military Families Veteran Employment

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 12, 2025

HB 4753: Civil rights: other; protections for the termination of a pregnancy under the Elliott-Larsen civil rights act; remove, and restore to former provisions. Amends secs. 201 & 202 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2201 & 37.2202).

HB 4753 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to restore protections for employees regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and termination of pregnancy by removing a 2023 exclusion that previously excluded "nontherapeutic abortion not intended to save the life of the mother." It directly affects employees and employers covered by the act, ensuring pregnancy-related conditions - including termination of pregnancy - are treated as protected categories under anti-discrimination law. The key provision redefines "sex" in Section 201 to include pregnancy termination without the 2023 exception, and updates Section 202 to prohibit employment discrimination based on these conditions. This bill reverses a prior amendment, restoring the original language that explicitly covered pregnancy-related medical conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores workplace protections for abortion under civil rights law, preventing discrimination in employment related to healthcare access for pregnancy termination.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestores pregnancy termination protections under anti-discrimination law, strengthening employee rights in workplace covered by Elliott-Larsen Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Employment Discrimination

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 54: Labor: hours and wages; certain state projects paid for by bond or bond proposals, exempt from prevailing wage act. Amends sec. 9 of 2023 PA 10 (MCL 408.1109).

SB 54 amends Michigan's prevailing wage law (MCL 408.1109) to exempt certain state projects funded by school bonds from prevailing wage requirements. It specifically applies to projects paid for by millage, bond, or bond proposal revenue authorized under the Revised School Code (1976 PA 451) before February 13, 2024. The bill removes the requirement for contractors on these pre-existing school bond-funded projects to pay prevailing wages or fringe benefits. This change directly affects construction workers and contractors working on school infrastructure projects financed through bonds approved prior to the law's effective date.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts school bond-funded projects from prevailing wage requirements, reducing required worker compensation and benefits for construction projects.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 4075: Labor: hours and wages; minimum wage; modify. Amends sec. 4 of 2018 PA 337 (MCL 408.934).

HB 4075 amends Michigan's minimum wage law to gradually increase the hourly wage for most workers. It sets specific rates starting at $10.00 in 2019, rising to $20.00 by 2030, with annual adjustments for inflation beginning in 2022. The inflation adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) and takes effect January 1 each year, unless unemployment exceeds 8.5% in the prior year. This bill directly affects low-wage workers and employers across Michigan who must comply with the updated wage schedule.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases minimum wage from $10/hr (2019) to $20/hr (2030) with inflation adjustments, directly strengthening worker compensation and protecting low-wage earners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Unemployment

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