Six New Laws Take Effect in Michigan in 2025: What You Need to Know
New Requirements of Michigan Retailers and Businesses
The year of 2025 sees several new laws taking effect in Michigan. Among these, retailers are now required to sell cage-free eggs, businesses must allow paid sick time for all workers, and there’s a significant increase in the minimum wage.
Introduction of Mandatory Sick Time for Workers
Starting from Feb. 21, 2025, all employees in the state are now required to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Businesses employing 10 or more people must implement this by allowing the use of up to 72 hours of the accrued paid sick leave, while those with less than 10 employees must permit the use of up to 40 hours of the accrued paid sick leave. The law also provides for an additional 32 hours of unpaid sick leave. However, this particular rule does not apply to federal government workers.
New Laws Affecting Michigan Schools
Michigan schools must adhere to the newly passed pair of bills from April 2024 that requires the availability of easily accessible automated external defibrillators and personnel certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of the defibrillators by the 2025-2026 academic year.
Michigan Tax Credit for Live Organ Donors
House Bill 4361 introduces a one-time income tax credit of up to $10,000 for Michiganders who donate live organs – a significant financial incentive for this generous health-related act.
Changes in Unemployment Benefits
Out-of-work Michiganders can now claim up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits – a significant increase from the previous 20 weeks. Additionally, the new legislation promises to raise the maximum weekly payment from the current $362 to $446 and further to $614 in 2027.
New Regulations on Egg Sales
The state’s egg producers, as of Dec. 31, 2024, must ensure that their eggs come from cage-free chickens. This mandate doesn’t apply to producers with 3,000 or fewer chickens but covers the large majority of eggs sold within the state.
Changes in Michigan’s Minimum Wage
The year 2025 brings about two increases in Michigan’s minimum wage. On Jan 1, the hourly minimum wage was raised to $10.56 for adults and $8.98 for minors, while the tipped minimum wage (applicable to servers and bartenders) was set at $4.01. However, these rates will only hold for a matter of weeks before the next bump on Feb 21, which will see the hourly minimum wage increase to $12.48 for adults, $10.61 for minors and $5.99 for tipped workers.
These major changes in laws concerning workers’ rights, health and safety regulations, and financial compensation show Michigan’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents. The full effects of these changes may only be evident with time, but the intention is clear: to create a more equitable and humane society.
