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Michigan lawmakers approve the strongest earned sick leave policy in the nation, expanding benefits to over a million additional workers.
Michigan Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill Expanding Sick Leave
LANSING – The Michigan Senate has passed House Bill 4002, establishing a statewide earned sick leave policy that extends coverage to more than a million additional workers. The bipartisan legislation, which now awaits final approval in the House, makes Michigan the leading state in the nation for earned sick leave policies.
Expanded Sick Leave to Cover More Workers
The bill, backed by Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), was developed through extensive negotiations balancing the needs of both workers and small businesses. The policy mandates that large businesses must provide at least 72 hours of earned sick time to full-time employees while defining small businesses as those with 10 employees or fewer.
“Michiganders should be able to care for themselves and their loved ones when they are sick without fear of losing their jobs or wages,” said Sen. Singh. “This legislation reflects careful discussions with workers and businesses to improve access to earned sick leave and Michigan’s standing as a national leader.”
Senate Majority Leader Praises Historic Legislation
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) emphasized that the bill provides much-needed security for Michigan workers in the face of life’s uncertainties.
“Emergencies and illnesses are a part of life, and our core mission with this legislation is to help Michiganders sleep at night knowing they have a reasonable cushion when the unpredictable happens,” Brinks said. “This bill was negotiated in good faith across bipartisan lines, and in years to come, other states will be modeling their own laws after what we passed today.”
What’s Next?
The bill now moves back to the House for final concurrence before heading to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for signature. Once signed into law, Michigan will officially have the most generous annual accrued earned sick time policy in the country.
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