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SB 975

AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gordon Rogers and 2 co-sponsors

Restores a domestic violence unemployment eligibility exemption and clarifies that reducing hours can be a voluntary leave unless proven involuntary or for employer good cause.

05/13/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 975

Summary — SB 975 (Amendment to Michigan Employment Security Act, MCL 421.29)

Status: Enacted as Public Act No. 239 of 2024 — approved Jan. 17, 2025; effective April 2, 2025.

Main purpose

SB 975 amends section 29 of the Michigan Employment Security Act (MCL 421.29) to (1) restore an unemployment-eligibility exception for victims of domestic violence who voluntarily leave employment for reasons related to the abuse, and (2) clarify how voluntary reductions in work hours affect disqualification for unemployment benefits.

Key provisions

  • Restores domestic-violence exception

    • An individual who is a victim of domestic violence and who left work because of that violence may be considered “qualified” for unemployment benefits despite having voluntarily left employment.
    • This restores an exemption that had previously sunset (March 31, 2021) and makes it effective beginning on the bill’s effective date.
    • Benefits paid under this exemption are charged to the nonchargeable benefits account (not to the employer’s experience account).

  • Presumption regarding reduced hours

    • An individual who reduces their own working status to less than full‑time employment is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer.
    • The presumption is rebuttable — claimants may present evidence to show the leaving was involuntary or for employer‑attributable good cause.

  • Other statutory framework remains

    • The claimant retains the burden of proving that a leaving was involuntary or for good cause attributable to the employer.
    • Existing provisions about medical‑leave conditions, unsuitable work, military spouse transfers, and charging of benefits to the nonchargeable account remain in force as applicable.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Individuals applying for Michigan unemployment insurance who voluntarily left work because of domestic violence (they may now qualify).
  • Secondary: Employers — benefit payments for qualifying domestic-violence leavings are charged to the nonchargeable benefits account rather than employers’ experience accounts.
  • UIA (Unemployment Insurance Agency): will apply the reinstated exemption and the rebuttable presumption in adjudications.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in 2024 (Senator Sam Singh sponsor), passed by the Legislature, enrolled as Public Act No. 239 (2024).
  • Effective date: April 2, 2025.
  • SB 975 was considered alongside other unemployment‑law amendments (e.g., SB 40, SB 962). Some of these bills were tie‑barred packages addressing broader UIA changes.

Fiscal impact

  • Committee analyses report no fiscal impact on State or local government from SB 975 itself.

Practical effect

  • Reinstates protections for domestic‑violence victims who must leave employment for safety or recovery, reducing a barrier to receiving UI benefits.
  • Clarifies that voluntarily reducing hours to below full‑time generally counts as voluntary leaving (subject to rebuttal), which may affect eligibility determinations in reduced‑hour or part‑time arrangements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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