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House approves changes to Earned Sick Time Act amid heated debate; bill passes 67-38
Summary
House Bill 4002, which amends Michigan—s Earned Sick Time Act and changes small-business thresholds and leave definitions, passed the House 67-38 and was given immediate effect after extensive floor debate and multiple failed amendments.
LANSING — The Michigan House on Wednesday passed House Bill 4002, revising provisions of the Earned Sick Time Act including definitions of employee coverage, small-business thresholds, and notice and enforcement provisions. The bill passed on a recorded vote, 67-38, and members ordered immediate effect.
Representative DeBoer introduced the bill on the second-reading calendar and the chamber adopted a committee substitute before floor amendment debate. The select committee on protecting Michigan employees and small businesses recommended substitute H1, which the House adopted.
Lawmakers debated numerous amendments that would have expanded coverage, restored language from the 2018 ballot initiative, or preserved greater private remedies for employees. Representative Jason Mentzer (recorded as Mentzer in the debate) offered an amendment to retain the initiative—s broader definition of —employee— and protect contracting and seasonal workers; Representative Mentzer said the amendment would keep many workers from being excluded.
Representative Meri Skaggs proposed restoring small-business language to provide five days of paid leave and four unpaid days to employees at businesses with 10 or fewer workers; Representative Skaggs described that amendment as ensuring access for more than 200,000 Michiganders employed by small businesses. Representative Myers Phillips and others pressed for language clarifying unforeseeable leave and for restoring private causes of action; Representative Breen offered amendments to allow court suits in addition to administrative remedies.
Most floor amendments were rejected during roll-call or by clerk announcement that the amendment was not adopted. After debate, the clerk announced the final tally for passage: 67 aye, 38 nay. A motion for immediate effect was made and ordered.
Supporters said the bill offers clarity and preserves flexibility for small employers; opponents said it reduces protections the public voted for in 2018 and would leave many workers without leave. Representative Meri Myers Phillips said more than 1,700,000 Michiganders lacked access to even one hour of paid sick time and argued the change would worsen that situation. Representative Schutte, who chaired the select committee, said committee testimony informed the bill—s balance between worker protections and small-business practicalities.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 4002 Amend Earned Sick Time Act; final passage 67-38; immediate effect ordered.
