Michigan Legislature Approves Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Bills

News Summary

On February 20, 2025, Michigan lawmakers reached a late-night agreement on new minimum wage and paid sick leave legislation. The compromise includes Senate Bill 8, which raises the state minimum wage to $15 by 2027 and modifies tipped wages, and House Bill 4002, which mandates paid sick leave depending on company size. The measures aim to protect workers while easing concerns from the restaurant industry about job losses. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bills into law amidst ongoing debates about worker protections.

Late-Night Talks: Michigan Legislature Strikes a Deal on Minimum Wage and Sick Leave

It was all hands on deck in Michigan on February 20, 2025, as the state Legislature raced against the clock to make some big changes to minimum wage and paid sick leave laws. With a midnight deadline looming, lawmakers worked late into the night, hammering out a compromise that could affect thousands of workers and businesses across the state.

The Compromise on the Table

The newly crafted laws come in the form of Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 4002, both of which aim to modify the existing policies that were set in motion by a recent ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court. Just hours before the new rules were set to kick in, which would have driven the minimum wage up to $12.48 starting February 21, the legislators made a move to ease the impacts on businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry.

Under the original plan, Michigan aimed to gradually increase the minimum wage to an impressive $14.97 by 2028 and entirely phase out the tipped wage by 2030. However, concerns arose from restaurant owners who worried that these changes could potentially lead to job losses and some businesses closing their doors for good.

A Win for the Restaurant Industry

To the relief of many restaurant owners, the new legislation maintains the tipped minimum wage, a decision that directly benefits tens of thousands of servers and bartenders. With Senate Bill 8, the state minimum wage will still increase, reaching $15 by 2027, but it will raise the tipped wage from 38% to 50% of the regular minimum wage by 2031 instead of eliminating it.

A Close Call in the Senate

Passing Senate Bill 8 was no walk in the park. The Senate needed at least 25 votes for the bill to take immediate effect, and they squeaked by with 26 votes after previously securing only 20. This spirited debate highlighted the divisions within the Democratic leadership, while Republicans largely came together to support the changes.

Understanding Paid Sick Leave Changes

Now, let’s talk about House Bill 4002, which brings in new rules around paid sick leave. For businesses with fewer than 10 employees, they’ll be required to offer up to 40 hours of paid sick leave and 32 hours of unpaid leave each year. For those bigger businesses with 10 or more employees, the requirement goes up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually.

Notably, small businesses can provide the 40 hours of paid sick leave all at once and will have some extra time to adapt, with the law now set to take effect on October 1, 2025. New businesses are also getting a break, as they are exempt from the sick leave law for three years after hiring their first employee. Workers can use their paid sick days for a range of reasons, from personal health issues to family emergencies and even public health situations.

What’s Next?

While the new laws take steps to support both workers and businesses, they have faced backlash from advocacy groups pushing for stronger worker protections. There’s chatter that some organizations are considering a referendum to challenge these newly passed laws.

After passing with strong support in the House with an 89-21 vote, both bills quickly made their way to the desk of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who signed them into law, highlighting the need for fair wages and benefits for all workers in Michigan.

As the dust settles on this legislative marathon, one thing is clear: Michigan has taken a significant step in redefining its approach to wages and sick leave. Whether this compromise is enough to satisfy everyone remains to be seen, but for now, workers and businesses are in for a new chapter.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Fox17 Online
• Wikipedia: Minimum Wage (United States)
• CBS News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Minimum Wage
• Detroit Free Press
• Google Search: Michigan Minimum Wage Laws
• Michigan Advance
• Google News: Michigan Sick Leave Law
• Our Midland
• Google Scholar: Michigan Sick Leave Legislation