Worker's compensation: benefits; calculation of average weekly wage; modify. Amends sec. 371 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.371) & adds sec. 612.

HB 5541 modifies Michigan's worker's compensation law to change how overtime pay is counted for calculating average weekly wage for injured workers at small businesses (employers with 50 or fewer employees). Instead of counting overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate, the bill requires using the regular hourly rate for overtime hours, which lowers the average weekly wage and reduces both benefits for injured workers and employer insurance premiums. Insurers must apply the lower premium rate if this change results in a reduced cost, and the provision expires December 31, 2028. This affects small business employers, their injured employees, and worker's compensation insurers.