Labor & Employment

passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 319: Labor: collective bargaining; minimum staffing levels within a bargaining unit; make a mandatory subject of bargaining for certain public employees. Amends secs. 11 & 15 of 1947 PA 336 (MCL 423.211 & 423.215).

SB 319 amends Michigan's public employee collective bargaining law to require that minimum staffing levels within a bargaining unit become a mandatory topic for negotiation between public employers and employee representatives. This applies specifically to public employees covered under 1969 PA 312 (which includes most state and local government workers like teachers, nurses, and first responders), making staffing levels a required subject of bargaining alongside wages and hours. The bill includes a limited exception: if a public employer faces reduced state funding or property tax revenue, it may choose whether to negotiate staffing levels, but must otherwise include them in bargaining. The change directly affects public sector workplaces where employee bargaining units exist, ensuring staffing levels cannot be unilaterally set by employers without negotiation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum staffing levels as a mandatory bargaining topic for public employees, strengthening collective bargaining rights under labor law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 4040: Labor: fair employment practices; certain noncompete agreements; prohibit employers from requiring employees to enter into unless certain conditions are met. Amends sec. 4a of 1984 PA 274 (MCL 445.774a).

HB 4040 bans most noncompete agreements between employers and workers in Michigan, directly affecting employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers. It prohibits employers from entering into, obtaining, enforcing, or even claiming that noncompete agreements apply to workers, except for two specific cases: (1) business owners selling their business, or (2) high-earning workers (over 200% of the federal poverty line for a family of three) with agreements limited to one year. The bill voids illegal agreements and allows workers to sue for damages, including lost wages and legal costs, if employers try to enforce prohibited terms. It specifically preserves agreements protecting trade secrets or restricting solicitation for qualifying high-earning workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBans most noncompete agreements, protecting worker mobility and rights by prohibiting restrictive clauses except for narrow exceptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 7: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for certain employer violations; provide for. Amends sec. 14b of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.14b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0006'25

Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) proposes changes to Michigan's code of criminal procedure, specifically concerning sentencing guidelines. The bill focuses on establishing or modifying these guidelines for certain violations committed by employers. It amends section 14b of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.14b). These changes would directly affect how sentences are determined for employers found guilty of specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends sentencing guidelines for employer violations, strengthening enforcement of labor laws against violators by establishing criminal penalties for noncompliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 496: Labor: youth employment; youth employment standards act; restore former provisions and modify penalties. Amends title & secs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 20, 21 & 22 of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.102 et seq.) & repeals secs. 4a, 4b, 4c & 4d of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.104a et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0497'25

SB 496 amends Michigan's Youth Employment Standards Act to restore previous work permit requirements and update related rules. It shifts the responsibility for issuing work permits from school officials to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity after an 18-month transition period. The bill clarifies exceptions allowing minors as young as 11 to work in specific roles like sports refereeing, golf caddying, or farm work during school breaks, while maintaining safety standards for all youth employment. These changes directly affect minors under 18 seeking jobs, employers hiring them, schools issuing permits, and the Department of Labor enforcing the law. The bill also modifies penalties for violations and removes certain outdated provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestores work permit requirements and maintains safety standards for youth employment, strengthening protections for minor workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 14, 2025

HB 4762: Labor: youth employment; youth employment in residential building construction; allow under certain conditions. Amends sec. 19 of 1978 PA 90 (MCL 409.119).

HB 4762 allows youth aged 16 or older to work in residential building construction under specific safety conditions. It requires minors to hold an OSHA 10-hour certification, complete a state-approved trades program, and work under direct supervision by a qualified adult (21+ with OSHA certification and 2+ years experience). The bill prohibits work on structures over 6 feet tall (like roofs or scaffolding) and restricts employment to single-family home renovations. This directly affects 16+ year olds seeking construction work in Michigan, expanding opportunities while prioritizing safety through mandatory training and supervision.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates OSHA certification, supervision, and safety restrictions for youth construction work, enhancing workplace safety protections for young workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Child Labor Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 13, 2025

SB 497: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for violation of the youth employment standards act; modify. Amends sec. 14b, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.14b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 496'25

SB 497 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to specifically address violations of the Youth Employment Standards Act. It modifies section 14b of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 777.14b) to adjust the sentencing rules for offenses related to youth employment laws. This change directly affects employers who violate rules governing minors' working hours, safety, or other protections under the Youth Employment Standards Act. The bill updates the criminal procedure code to reflect these specific sentencing considerations for youth employment violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends sentencing guidelines for violations of Youth Employment Standards Act, strengthening enforcement of minor worker protections (hours, safety), directly advancing workplace safety and workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

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passed both · Michigan · House May 6, 2025

HB 4288: Public employees and officers: state; hiring practices based on anything other than the merit of the prospective employee; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4288 prohibits Michigan state agencies from hiring for unclassified positions based on factors other than objective merit, such as education or work experience. It directly affects state agencies hiring for roles outside the classified civil service (e.g., certain executive branch positions). The bill requires hiring decisions to rely solely on merit-based criteria and imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, with the attorney general authorized to collect penalties. This legislation creates new requirements for state hiring practices under Michigan law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits non-merit hiring for public employees, ensuring fair recruitment practices that protect workers' rights to equitable treatment in employment decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · Michigan · House May 7, 2025

HB 4449: Labor: fair employment practices; employment decisions based on the health or illness of an employee's family member; prohibit. Creates new act.

House Bill 4449, known as the "employee family health privacy act," aims to protect employees in Michigan. It prohibits employers from making employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, or compensation, based on the known or believed health condition or illness of an employee's family member. The bill also prevents employers from inquiring about a family member's health status, with exceptions for verifying sick leave, family and medical leave eligibility, or processing health coverage claims. Additionally, it prohibits retaliation against individuals who act to enforce their rights under this act and allows for civil actions to seek remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits employment decisions based on family health, protecting employee access to healthcare coverage and preventing discrimination in health-related employment practices.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment decisions based on family health status, directly protecting workers' rights under fair employment practices as stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 381: Labor: collective bargaining; calendar and schedule for school year; make prohibited subjects of bargaining. Amends sec. 15 of 1947 PA 336 (MCL 423.215). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0379'25

This Michigan bill amends labor law to prohibit public school districts from negotiating with teacher unions about 16 specific topics, including school calendars, staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and classroom observation policies. It directly affects school districts and their employee unions by restricting collective bargaining to only wages, hours, and basic working conditions. Key provisions add these topics to a formal list of "prohibited subjects" in bargaining agreements, meaning schools cannot discuss them during contract negotiations. The bill clarifies that operational decisions like school schedules (for state aid eligibility) and staffing reductions remain the sole responsibility of school districts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits bargaining on school calendars, staffing, and evaluations - restricting union input in educational management. Directly limits negotiation scope for school operations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits collective bargaining on key issues like school calendars, staffing, and evaluations, restricting union negotiations beyond wages/hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 21, 2025

HB 4781: Labor: fair employment practices; penalties and payment of back wages for violations of the whistleblowers' protection act; increase. Amends secs. 4 & 5 of 1980 PA 469 (MCL 15.364 & 15.365).

HB 4781 amends Michigan's Whistleblowers' Protection Act to strengthen penalties for employers who retaliate against employees reporting violations. It increases the civil fine for violations from $500 to $2,000 per offense and requires employers to pay triple back wages to affected employees. The bill directly impacts workers who report wrongdoing (whistleblowers) and employers who retaliate, ensuring greater financial accountability. All collected fines must be deposited into the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases penalties for employer retaliation against whistleblowers and mandates triple back wages, directly strengthening worker protections under fair employment practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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