Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact advanced in the Michigan State during the week of Feb. 10.
The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee narrowly voted Feb. 12 to move Senate Bill (SB) 15 (S-1), introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), to the Senate floor. This bill seeks to address the voter initiative petition on earned sick time that is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 21, 2025.
The ESTA, as enacted Public Act 338 of 2018, applies to all employers and requires that an employee be provided one (1) hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked. That sick time may carry over year-to-year and allows increased usage of paid earned sick time for an employee of up to 72 hours per year.
SB 15 (S-1) is an alternative proposal to House Bill (HB) 4002, sponsored by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay). The MHA supports HB 4002 because it provides vital clarifications regarding time accruals, employee notice provisions, sick time pay rates and exempts independent contractors and part time employees. The MHA continues to work with the Senate on necessary refinements to SB 15 and with legislators in both the House and Senate as they negotiate to ensure important changes to the ESTA are made before it is slated to go into effect.
Furthermore, SB 60 passed the Senate on Feb. 13. This bill removes the sunset on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which streamlines the licensing process and allows physicians licensed in one state to practice in multiple, participating states. With the compact set to expire March 28, the MHA is working quickly with legislators to pass this important legislation to maintain the agreement.
Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.