Bill > SB0006

This bill amends Michigan's wage and fringe benefits law to strengthen employee protections and introduce new requirements for employers. The bill makes several key changes, including renaming the department from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, clarifying the definition of an independent contractor, and adding new provisions to prevent worker misclassification. The bill prohibits employers from requiring employees to keep their wages confidential and mandates that employers provide wage information for similarly situated employees upon request. It also creates a new wages and fringe benefits fund in the state treasury and significantly increases penalties for employers who violate wage and employment laws. The legislation introduces more stringent consequences for employers who intentionally misclassify employees as independent contractors, with potential criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the bill enhances protections for employees who file complaints about wage violations, including provisions to protect their identity and prevent retaliation. The penalties for wage theft are now graduated based on the amount of wages withheld, ranging from misdemeanors for smaller amounts to felonies for substantial wage theft, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for the most serious violations. The bill takes effect 90 days after its enactment.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0006