(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/05/2025) The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony on SB 15 , the Senate's earned sick leave bill Wednesday only a week after Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen) asked Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to preserve the House’s tipped credit and sick leave mandates. 

The Committee's central question seemed to be: how should small businesses be factored into this requirement?  

Small businesses are required to provide 40 hours of paid, and 32 hours of unpaid, sick leave. As introduced, SB 15 would amend the definition of a small business from an employer with 10 employees to 25 employees, expanding the number of businesses qualifying for the requirement. Large businesses, in comparison, are required to provide 72 hours of paid sick leave.  

This is a stark difference between SB 15 and the House’s version of the bill, HB 4002 , exempting businesses with fewer than 50 employees from the requirement.  

“Our sick time fix will allow small businesses, those with under 50 employees, to continue to operate with the time off policies that work for them. Many small businesses are already understaffed, they can’t afford to hire additional people to help comply with these new rules. Workers also deserve the flexibility to use their time off how they see fit, not be forced into a one-size-fits-all mandate.  

House Republicans are coming to you with open arms, seeking collaboration – not a standoff,” Roth’s letter reads.   

Founding Director of Mother Justice Danielle Atkinson testified against the legislation. She said redefining what qualifies as a small business would leave the vast majority of Michigan workers not being covered to the extent they would be under the current law going into effect on Feb. 21.  

“This proposed legislation in front of us is not a compromise, and it is not a starting point. In effect, it would be stripping workers of their hard-won rights,” she said.  

Sen. Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway) expressed concern over the amount of sick leave small businesses would be required to give under the Senate bill.  

“When you get down to 25 employees, and you certainly get down to 10, it's not just the workability, it's the cost of it. We talk all the time about wanting to help small businesses and how important small businesses are for our state, but this is going to be really hard on small businesses,” Lauwers said. 

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee Hearing is scheduled to meet again on this issue next Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to Chair Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield).