2024 House Bill 5626

AI Analysis – Experimental

The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 556 of the Michigan Penal Code to enhance protections against wage discrimination. The primary objective is to prohibit employers from discriminating in wage payments based on sex, religion, race, color, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, or other characteristics protected under the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The bill introduces penalties for violations, which vary depending on the size of the employer: fines up to $5,000 for employers with 1 to 15 employees, up to $10,000 for those with 16 to 50 employees, and up to $20,000 for employers with more than 50 employees. Additionally, the bill clarifies that wage differences based on factors other than the protected characteristics do not constitute a violation. The legislation also removes outdated language that restricted the types of tasks assigned to female employees based on their strength, health, or potential for motherhood.