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State Representative Matthew Bierlein has supported a new plan that establishes paid sick leave policies aimed at protecting workers and local businesses in Michigan. House Bill 4002 ensures all workers have access to sick time while simplifying previous complex regulations set by a Michigan Supreme Court ruling.

Bierlein's recent vote also followed his support for Senate Bill 8, which preserves the tip credit, a significant income source for many service industry workers. This bill maintains the tip credit at 38% through 2025 with annual increases, eventually capping it at 50% of the minimum wage by 2031.

Both HB 4002 and SB 8 became law after being passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor. Bierlein and his Republican colleagues have prioritized these issues during the current legislative term, responding to concerns from workers and small business owners about their livelihoods.

The initial bills introduced in the House this term addressed what Bierlein described as a "short-sighted" court decision, moving to preserve the tip credit and modify mandates for paid sick leave. As a member of the House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses, Bierlein helped advance these proposals to the House floor.

“This is what leadership looks like,” said Bierlein from Vassar. “House Republicans listened to people’s concerns, worked across the aisle, and took decisive action to protect Michigan jobs and small businesses."

He added that there was considerable delay in achieving this agreement during the previous term but emphasized their focus on delivering solutions for workers and local businesses. “These bills were unequivocally better than what we would have seen had the Court’s ruling become effective.”

The new laws address a one-size-fits-all mandate for paid sick leave established by the Court’s decision. Bierlein noted that larger businesses operate differently from smaller ones with fewer resources, advocating for flexible leave policies tailored to individual needs. The legislation also limits "no-call, no-show" leave practices that can lead to understaffed situations in small businesses and essential services.