Bill > HB4725

This bill amends the existing public employment labor relations act to expand the definition of "public employee" to explicitly include student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics at public universities in Michigan. Previously, the law excluded student athletes from being considered public employees and denied them collective bargaining rights. The bill now allows student athletes to be recognized as public employees solely for the purpose of collective bargaining, which means they can form labor organizations and negotiate terms related to their athletic participation. The legislation clarifies that this designation does not make student athletes actual state employees for other purposes. The bill also makes some minor technical changes to the law's language, such as renumbering existing definitions and removing a specific clause that previously explicitly excluded student athletes from public employee status. By adding student athletes to the definition of public employees, the bill provides these individuals with new rights to organize and potentially negotiate terms related to their athletic activities, scholarships, compensation, or working conditions.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4725