Bill > HB4316

This bill creates the Office of the State Employee Ombudsman within the legislative council to provide a mechanism for investigating complaints from state employees about administrative actions in government agencies. The ombudsman, who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the legislative council, can initiate investigations on their own or in response to complaints about potential law violations, actions that might endanger public health or safety, or gross mismanagement of public funds. The ombudsman has broad powers to request information and documents from state departments, hold hearings, and interview individuals, but is not required to investigate every complaint received. The office must maintain confidentiality about investigations and complainants, and will produce resolution reports for complainants and separate detailed reports for the legislative council. The bill includes protections for employees who file complaints, preventing state agencies from retaliating against them, and establishes that violating the act's provisions is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine. The ombudsman is required to submit annual reports detailing complaint statistics and outcomes, and the new office will take effect 90 days after the law is enacted.

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https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4316