Labor & Employment

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 64: Children: child care; passing along fees for criminal background checks to certain childcare employees to the employees; prohibit. Amends secs. 5d & 5n of 1973 PA 116 (MCL 722.115d & 722.115n).

SB 64 prohibits child care centers from charging employees or job applicants for required criminal background checks. The bill amends Michigan's child care licensing law (MCL 722.115d) to explicitly state that centers cannot pass the actual cost of these checks - conducted through the state police's ICHAT system - to staff members. This directly affects childcare workers and applicants who would otherwise pay for background screenings mandated for employment. The key provision removes a financial burden from employees while maintaining existing requirements for background checks to ensure child safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents child care centers from charging employees for mandatory background checks, removing financial burden and protecting workers' rights under employment standards.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SB 74: Worker's compensation: benefits; worker's disability compensation benefits; modify various provisions. Amends secs. 301, 313, 354, 355, 361, 371, 401 & 891 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.301 et seq.) & repeals secs. 302 & 431 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.302 & 418.431).

SB 74 amends Michigan's Worker's Disability Compensation Act to clarify how workplace injuries and disabilities are defined and compensated. It specifically modifies rules for mental health conditions (requiring a link to actual work events, not perceptions), refines the definition of "disability" as a limitation in wage-earning capacity, and requires employees to demonstrate good-faith job searches when claiming partial disability. The bill shifts the burden of proof to employers after an employee establishes initial disability, requiring employers to provide evidence to refute claims. These changes directly affect Michigan workers injured on the job and their employers in determining compensation eligibility and benefit amounts.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShifts burden of proof to employers (pro-worker), clarifies mental health claims, and requires job search for partial disability (minor restriction). Burden shift dominates as key pro-worker change.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 91: Individual income tax: deductions; exclusion of certain gratuities for tipped employees; provide for. Amends sec. 30 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.30).

This bill (SB 91) amends Michigan's income tax code to exclude certain gratuities received by tipped employees from taxable income. It directly affects Michigan workers in service industries (like restaurants) who earn tips, allowing them to deduct specific tip income from their taxable earnings. The key provision modifies Section 30 of the Income Tax Act to add this exclusion, reducing the taxable income for eligible tipped workers. This change aligns Michigan's tax treatment with federal guidelines for tip income deductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes tips from taxable income for tipped workers, reducing their tax burden. Direct tax relief for lower-income service industry employees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExcludes tips from taxable income for tipped workers, reducing tax burden and increasing take-home pay - directly supports workers' financial well-being in labor context.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Michigan · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 4096: Worker's compensation: disabilities; presumption of causation of heart and respiratory diseases; extend to certain members of police, fire, and public safety departments. Amends sec. 405 of 1969 PA 317 (MCL 418.405).

HB 4096 expands worker's compensation protections for public safety workers by presuming that heart and respiratory diseases develop from job duties. It directly affects full-time, part-time, and paid-on-call members of fire, police, and public safety departments; county sheriffs and deputies; state police; conservation officers; and forest/motor carrier enforcement officers. The bill amends Section 405 to include these conditions as "personal injury" under the Worker's Disability Compensation Act, meaning they are presumed work-related unless proven otherwise. Before claiming benefits, applicants must first seek pension eligibility under Section 405(4), and benefits from the new presumption cannot overlap with employer-provided coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands worker's comp benefits for public safety workers by presuming job-related heart/respiratory conditions, strengthening workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 149: Public employees and officers: compensation and benefits; regional airport authorities; include in the publicly funded health insurance contribution act. Amends sec. 2 of 2011 PA 152 (MCL 15.562).

SB 149 amends Michigan's Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act to update the definition of "public employer" to explicitly include regional airport authorities (as defined in the aeronautics code) and community colleges. This change requires these entities to contribute to the state's health insurance fund for their employees, as previously required of other public employers like school districts. The bill does not alter health benefits or costs but clarifies which organizations must comply with the act's contribution rules. It directly affects public employers such as community colleges, regional airport authorities, and other newly included entities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires regional airports and community colleges to contribute to public health insurance fund, expanding coverage scope without altering benefits or costs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands health insurance contribution requirements to include regional airports and community colleges, extending existing public employee benefits coverage to more workers without altering benefits or costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4319: Criminal procedure: sentencing guidelines; sentencing guideline for wage and fringe benefit payment violations; enact. Amends sec. 14a, ch. XVII of 1927 PA 175 (MCL 777.14a). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4318'25

HB 4319 proposes to amend Michigan's code of criminal procedure. The bill aims to establish new sentencing guidelines specifically for violations related to the payment of wages and fringe benefits. If enacted, this would provide courts with specific guidance when sentencing individuals or entities found guilty of these types of offenses. The bill is tied to HB 4318'25, indicating it is part of a broader legislative package.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes criminal sentencing guidelines for wage/fringe benefit payment violations, enforcing worker compensation rights through stronger legal consequences.95% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4317: Labor: hours and wages; employer violations regarding the payment of wages and fringe benefits; increase sanctions for. Amends sec. 18 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.488).

HB 4317 increases the financial penalties for Michigan employers who violate laws regarding the payment of wages and fringe benefits to their employees. It raises the annual penalty rate on unpaid wages and benefits from 10% to 100% once a complaint is filed. For flagrant or repeated violations, the bill increases the maximum exemplary damages an employer could be ordered to pay from twice to three times the amount owed. Additionally, the maximum civil fine that can be assessed against an employer for violating the act would increase from $1,000 to $10,000.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases penalties for wage/benefit violations from 10% to 100% and raises exemplary damages from 2x to 3x, strengthening worker protections against employer noncompliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4324: Individual income tax: administration; information for taxpayers regarding the classification of an individual as an independent contractor; incorporate in instruction booklet and provide notice to certain taxpayers. Amends sec. 471 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.471) & adds sec. 707a.

House Bill 4324 requires the Michigan Department of Treasury to provide taxpayers with information regarding the classification of individuals as employees or independent contractors. Starting with the 2025 tax year, the annual income tax instruction booklet must include a page explaining the rules and factors for this classification. This page will also provide contact information for reporting suspected payroll fraud to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Attorney General. Additionally, the department will send a direct notice containing this information to each individual reported on a Form 1099-MISC filed with the state. The bill aims to inform individual taxpayers about worker classification and provide resources for reporting potential misclassification.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents worker misclassification as independent contractors, protecting access to employment benefits and safety protections through tax guidance and fraud reporting channels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 4322: Labor: hours and wages; penalties and remedies for misclassification of independent contractors; provide for. Amends secs. 1, 13, 15, 18 & 19 of 1978 PA 390 (MCL 408.471 et seq.) & adds secs. 13c & 13d.

House Bill 4322 amends Michigan's wage and fringe benefits act, primarily addressing the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, which affects both employers and individuals performing work. The bill establishes a new legal definition for "independent contractor" and explicitly prohibits employers from classifying, reporting, or treating an employee as an independent contractor, placing the burden of proof on the alleged violator. It significantly increases penalties for misclassification, including a 100% annual penalty on unpaid wages and benefits, up to triple exemplary damages, and a civil fine up to $10,000. For misclassification violations, 50% of collected penalties and damages will be paid to the affected employee, and a new "wages and fringe benefits fund" is created to support enforcement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents misclassification of employees as contractors, imposes penalties, shifts burden of proof to employers - strengthens worker protections under wage laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4336: Crimes: other; bringing in and harboring certain undocumented persons; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 409c.

HB 4336 amends Michigan's penal code to create new state crimes related to individuals who are not authorized to be in the United States. The bill establishes felony and misdemeanor offenses for knowingly bringing, transporting, harboring, or encouraging such persons to enter or remain in the U.S. It also creates a felony offense for knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented individuals for employment within a 12-month period. Penalties include fines and imprisonment, with higher penalties for offenses involving commercial gain, serious injury, or death. An exception is provided for religious organizations bringing in volunteer ministers or missionaries.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new felonies for harboring undocumented persons and hiring them, increasing penalties. Directly opposes reform by broadening criminal offenses.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill creates felony/misdemeanor offenses for harboring, transporting, or employing undocumented persons, increasing state immigration enforcement and restricting undocumented immigrants' activities.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill criminalizes hiring undocumented workers (10+ in 12 months), restricting employment opportunities for this workforce segment and opposing labor rights protections.90% confidence

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