HB 5422 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (2018 PA 338) to clarify and expand permissible uses of accrued sick time for workers. It specifically updates Section 4(1) to allow sick time for medical care related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or violent crime; school meetings about a child's health or disability; and public health emergencies. The bill also refines notice requirements for employers, permitting advance notice up to 7 days for foreseeable absences. This amendment directly affects Michigan workers covered under the existing sick time law, ensuring clearer access to time off for health, family, and safety needs.
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.
SB 15 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to expand the definition of "small business" from fewer than 10 employees to fewer than 25 employees. This change means more small businesses (with 11-24 employees) will now qualify for the act's simplified rules, including accruing 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 40 hours of paid sick time per year. The bill maintains existing provisions requiring employers to provide earned sick time for employee health, family care, or safety needs (such as domestic violence or sexual assault), while clarifying definitions like "domestic partner" and "family member." It does not create new benefits but adjusts eligibility to cover more small employers under the current framework.
This bill requires Michigan employers to pay employees for any accrued but unused paid vacation leave when employment ends. It applies to workers who have earned vacation time but didn't use it before leaving a job, such as through resignation or termination. Employers must pay this out unless the separation was a furlough (a temporary shutdown under specific conditions) or the employer provided unlimited vacation leave. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
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.
HB 4002 amends Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act to clarify eligibility and usage rules for workers. It expands the definition of "family member" to include domestic partners and specifies that employees must work at least 25 hours weekly (averaged over a benefit year) to qualify for sick time. The bill also defines key terms like "benefit year" (a 12-month period for calculating leave) and clarifies that employers with 50+ employees must provide sick time for health, family, or safety needs. These changes aim to make the law's implementation more consistent while maintaining existing requirements for covered workers.
HB 5004 amends Michigan's unemployment benefits law to clarify the requirements for workers who leave jobs due to medical reasons. To qualify for benefits, an employee must obtain a medical professional's statement confirming that continuing work would harm their health and must have made good-faith attempts to secure alternative work or a leave of absence with their employer. Without these steps, the employee is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause, disqualifying them from benefits. This change directly affects Michigan workers seeking unemployment benefits after a medical leave, ensuring eligibility aligns with documented medical necessity and employer cooperation efforts.
HB 5232 changes Michigan's military leave law to require local governments (cities, towns, counties) to provide paid leave for certain law enforcement and fire department employees who serve in active military duty. It mandates that local units of government must cover the pay difference between an employee's civilian salary and military pay during their leave, ensuring they don't lose income. The bill specifically adds mandatory paid leave for these public safety workers, while still allowing local governments flexibility to create similar programs for other employees. This amendment updates existing law (MCL 32.273a) to reflect new requirements for first responders.
HB 5233, the "Military Leave for First Responders Act," requires fire departments and law enforcement agencies in Michigan to provide at least 26 days of paid leave annually for employees serving in military reserve components. It directly affects fire department and law enforcement agency members who are enlisted in reserve units, covering both active duty deployment and training. The law mandates employers pay these members their regular wage during leave and maintain all contractually required benefits. It also specifies advance notice requirements for leave requests (14 days for 10-20 days off, as soon as possible for longer periods) and includes a provision for paid leave to attend pre-induction military exams.
