Rep. Denise Mentzer

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 67 declares April 18, 2025, as Champions Day in the state of Michigan. This resolution encourages the people of Michigan to commemorate the extraordinary accomplishments of Joe Louis, the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings during the 1935 sports season.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 56 declares April 2025 as Scottish-American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan. This resolution, introduced by Rep. Mike McFall and adopted by the House of Representatives, aims to recognize and celebrate the cultural heritage and historical contributions of Scottish-Americans in Michigan.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Michigan's state constitution to remove the exception allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. It would change Article I, Section 9 to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude "in all cases," eliminating the current constitutional allowance for forced labor in criminal sentencing. The change directly affects Michigan's criminal justice system by banning a legal basis for forced labor under state law. This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would make Michigan the first state to fully abolish this exception in its constitution. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHB 4289 requires Michigan employers with 2 or more employees to post a clear notice about equal pay laws in a visible workplace location. The notice must state that federal and state laws prohibit wage discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, or marital status. It also provides contact details for reporting violations to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, including a phone line and website. Employers who fail to post the notice may face a $100 civil fine.

Maddy summaryHB 4296 amends Michigan's wage discrimination law (MCL 750.556) to clarify that employers cannot pay differently based on protected characteristics like sex, race, religion, or marital status for similar work. It specifies that wage differences based on legitimate factors (not protected traits) do not violate the law. The bill maintains the existing fine structure for violations: up to $5,000 for employers with 1-15 staff, $10,000 for 16-50 employees, and $20,000 for larger businesses. This update aligns the penal code with current civil rights protections under the Elliot-Larsen Act. The bill directly affects all Michigan employers who hire workers.

Maddy summaryHB 4293 requires Michigan employers to obtain written permission from employees before deducting most amounts from paychecks, with exceptions for legally required payments. It limits deductions to 15% of gross wages and ensures employees still receive at least the state or federal minimum wage after deductions. The bill also sets specific rules for handling overpaid wages (without consent if properly documented) and court-ordered debt deductions (requiring 10 business days' written notice). This directly affects all Michigan employers and employees who have deductions taken from their paychecks.

Maddy summaryHB 4294 prohibits state agencies from awarding construction, repair, remodeling, or demolition contracts to employers without a "fair paycheck workplace certificate." This requirement directly affects state agencies purchasing such services and contractors bidding on those projects. The bill amends Michigan's Management and Budget Act to add Section 241(3), mandating that all eligible contractors must hold this certificate, which verifies compliance with fair pay standards. The law applies to all state-funded construction projects where competitive bidding is required, ensuring contractors meet specific workplace fairness criteria before securing contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 4297 requires Michigan employers to disclose wage information for "similarly situated employees" upon an employee's request. Specifically, employers must provide details on salary, bonuses, overtime, and other compensation within 30 days, while redacting individual names but including sex and seniority data for comparable roles. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who ask for this information or from requiring non-disclosure of wages as a condition of employment. It directly affects all Michigan employers and their employees by increasing wage transparency for jobs with comparable duties, skills, and responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4295 creates a "Fair Paycheck Workplace Certificate" program for Michigan employers. To obtain the certificate, employers must submit payroll data showing less than a 5% average pay gap between employees with different protected characteristics (like race, gender, or age) and pay the required fee. Employers without a valid certificate cannot claim to have one, facing up to $1,000 civil fines for false claims. The state will maintain a public database of certified employers, and all employee data submitted for certification is exempt from public disclosure.

Maddy summaryHB 4292 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to improve reporting of wage discrimination. It requires the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to establish a dedicated phone line and a public website with an anonymous electronic reporting form for workers to report wage discrimination without revealing their identity. These mechanisms must prominently display the phone number and website link, ensuring anonymity for individuals who report violations or assist in investigations. The bill directly affects workers experiencing wage discrimination by providing safer, confidential reporting options.