Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5786: Labor: employment preference; prioritization of local union labor; require for the construction of enterprise data centers. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5785'26, HB 5787'26

This bill establishes new requirements for construction contracts related to enterprise data centers in Michigan, mandating that owners prioritize hiring local union workers before considering those from other regions or states. Contractors must also ensure that at least 10% of total labor hours are performed by registered apprentices, unless the state determines they are unavailable for specific job roles. To enforce these rules, the legislation requires contractors to document their hiring efforts, submit detailed workforce reports, and face potential penalties such as the loss of tax exemptions if they fail to comply.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates prioritization of local union labor and requires apprenticeship hours, directly strengthening worker rights and collective bargaining.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SR 116: A resolution to recognize May 1, 2026, as International Workers’ Day.

This Senate resolution officially designates May 1, 2026, as International Workers' Day within the state. The measure honors the contributions of Michigan's workforce and commemorates the historical significance of the labor movement, including events like the Haymarket Affair and the Flint Sit-Down Strike. By adopting this resolution, the legislative body acknowledges the importance of workers' rights and the state's legacy in advancing economic and social justice.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill honors labor movement history and explicitly acknowledges the importance of workers' rights, aligning with supportive indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 969: Health facilities: other; definition of covered facility; include hospitals that provide swing bed services. Amends secs. 20173a & 20173b of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.20173a & 333.20173b).

SB 969 expands the definition of "covered facilities" in Michigan's public health code to include hospitals that provide swing bed services, in addition to existing nursing homes and similar institutions. This change ensures that these additional hospitals must adhere to the same strict rules regarding the employment and clinical privileges of staff who have direct access to patients. The bill requires facilities to conduct criminal history checks on new employees and prohibits hiring individuals with specific convictions related to violence, abuse, fraud, or drug offenses within certain timeframes. By including swing bed hospitals, the legislation aims to maintain consistent safety standards across a broader range of healthcare settings that care for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient safety by expanding regulations to cover more facilities and requiring criminal background checks for staff.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates criminal history checks for new employees in swing bed hospitals, strengthening workplace safety and protecting patients and staff from potential harm.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 295: A resolution calling on residents, employers, and community organizations in the state of Michigan to promote awareness of workers’ rights and protections in the workplace.

This legislative resolution asks residents, employers, and community groups in Michigan to raise awareness about workers' rights and workplace protections. It highlights the importance of these rights for economic stability and directs attention to existing resources provided by state agencies like the Bureau of Employment Relations and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The bill specifically encourages promoting these rights during Workplace Rights Week, which is scheduled for April 27 through May 1, 2026. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to facilitate this outreach.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill encourages awareness of workers' rights and protections, aligning with supporting labor standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · Michigan · House May 13, 2026

HB 5953: Worker's compensation: disabilities; presumption of causation of post-traumatic stress disorder; provide for certain occupations and allow for claims against post-traumatic stress injury fund. Amends 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.101 - 418.941) by adding sec. 407. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5952'26

This bill creates a new Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Fund to provide disability benefits to specific first responders and public safety workers who develop PTSD from work-related traumatic events. It allows eligible individuals, such as firefighters, police officers, and 911 dispatchers with at least five years of service, to suspend claims against their employers and instead seek compensation from the fund if they meet the criteria. The legislation establishes a legal presumption that the PTSD arose from employment, which can only be overturned by clear and convincing medical evidence proving non-work-related causes or an incorrect diagnosis. Additionally, the bill sets strict timelines for processing claims, requiring hearings within 90 days and decisions within 30 days, while also defining which high-stress situations qualify as traumatic events.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a dedicated fund to provide disability benefits for PTSD, directly supporting mental health services and protecting workers' access to care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands disability benefits and creates a specific fund for first responders with PTSD, strengthening worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · House May 13, 2026

HB 5954: Labor: hours and wages; scheduling standards for certain employers; provide for. Creates new act.

This Michigan bill, known as the Employee Fair Scheduling Act, establishes new rules for larger employers in retail, hospitality, and food service industries to provide more predictable work schedules. It requires companies with at least 20 employees to give new hires a written estimate of their expected hours and to post detailed work schedules at least 14 days in advance. The legislation also mandates compensation for certain last-minute schedule changes, allows employees to request schedule adjustments, and prohibits retaliation against workers who exercise these rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes fair scheduling standards, requires advance notice of work hours, and mandates compensation for schedule changes, directly protecting workers' rights and improving working conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 6009: Public employees and officers: compensation and benefits; severance pay for executive and legislative branch employees and officers; limit, and require reporting if greater than a certain amount. Creates new act.

This bill establishes the State Employment Contract Regulation Act to limit severance pay for employees and officers in Michigan's executive and legislative branches. It generally prohibits contracts that offer more than 12 weeks of wages in severance, ban non-disclosure agreements that prevent reporting illegal activities, and require contracts to be fully disclosed to the public. Exceptions allowing higher severance or restricted contracts are permitted only if legal counsel determines they are necessary to protect public funds from litigation risks, provided such agreements include legal releases of claims. Additionally, the law mandates that any contract offering six weeks or more of severance be posted online within 28 days, while contracts for elected officials must be shared with legislative leaders within three days.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill caps executive severance, bans NDAs blocking illegal activity reporting, and mandates public contract disclosure, protecting public employee rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 948: Labor: fair employment practices; requirement for an employee to access or respond to work-related communications outside of usual work hours; prohibit. Creates new act.

This bill, known as the Workplace Employee Boundaries Act, prohibits employers from requiring employees to check work emails, texts, or calls outside of their regular working hours. It allows workers to set specific times when they are available for work-related messages and protects them from retaliation, such as firing or threatening them, if they do not respond during off-hours. The law also bans employers from forcing employees to give up these protections as a condition of getting a job and provides for fines and extra pay for violations. Exceptions exist for emergencies, urgent notices to all staff, and situations where employees are already paid to be on call.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by prohibiting off-hours communication requirements and banning retaliation, strengthening employee boundaries.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects employee digital privacy by restricting off-hours work communication requirements and preventing retaliation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 5715: Military affairs: other; direct deposit for compensation of Michigan national guard members; provide for. Amends sec. 6 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.476).

This bill requires the Michigan National Guard to pay all servicemembers their compensation through direct deposit or electronic transfer starting with their first eligible pay period. The legislation amends existing state wage payment laws to mandate this specific payment method for National Guard members, who must provide the necessary banking information to enable the transfers. While the bill maintains existing protections for other employees regarding payroll debit cards and direct deposit consent, it creates a special provision that applies exclusively to the National Guard without requiring individual opt-in consent from each servicemember. This change ensures consistent electronic payment processing for military compensation while preserving the broader legal framework governing wage payments for other Michigan employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates direct deposit for National Guard compensation, improving payment security and aligning with modern wage payment standards that protect workers from check fraud and ensure timely access to earnings.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates direct deposit for Michigan National Guard compensation, improving financial access and modernizing payment methods for servicemembers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Michigan · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 5649: Corporate income tax: credits; employer credit for certain apprenticeship and career and technical education programs: provide for. Amends 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.1 - 206.847) by adding secs. 279 & 672.

This bill creates a new corporate income tax credit for Michigan employers who train apprentices and employ students in career and technical education programs. Starting in 2026, eligible businesses can receive tax credits covering up to 50% of certain training expenses or $2,000 per apprentice or student, with small businesses under 50 employees receiving an additional 10% bonus credit. The credit applies to qualified expenses such as wages, benefits, and classroom instruction costs, and any unused portion can be refunded to the taxpayer. Additionally, the bill requires the state Department of Labor to annually report on program participation, employment outcomes, and the fiscal impact of the credits to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates corporate tax credits for workforce training, promoting fiscal responsibility and funding education programs through tax incentives.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credits to employers for training apprentices and CTE students, expanding educational access and supporting career and technical education programs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits to employers for training apprentices and career/technical education students, directly supporting workforce development and employee skill enhancement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships

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