Bill > HB5421

This bill amends Michigan's Employment Security Act to expand unemployment benefits for victims of stalking, in addition to existing provisions for victims of domestic violence. The bill modifies the conditions under which an individual can leave employment without being disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. Specifically, it adds stalking as a qualifying reason for leaving work, allowing individuals who leave employment due to fears of stalking, the need to relocate to avoid stalking, or to address the physical or psychological effects of stalking to potentially receive unemployment benefits. The bill provides a detailed definition of stalking as a willful course of conduct involving repeated harassment that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized or threatened. To demonstrate stalking, individuals can provide various forms of documentation such as police records, court orders, medical documentation, or statements from professionals who have assisted them. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions to protect the privacy of individuals reporting stalking and expands the definition of family or household members to whom these protections apply. The changes will take effect on April 2, 2025, providing additional protection and support for individuals experiencing stalking.

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https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5421