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HB 4440

Labor: health and safety; infectious disease worker safety commission; create. Amends 1974 PA 154 (MCL 408.1001 - 408.1094) by adding sec. 47.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 24 co-sponsors

Michigan creates an Infectious Disease Worker Safety Commission to establish occupational health standards protecting employees from workplace disease exposure.

bill electronically reproduced 05/06/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 4440

Legislative bill overview

HB 4440 amends Michigan's occupational safety law to create a new Infectious Disease Worker Safety Commission. This commission would be tasked with developing standards, guidelines, and recommendations to protect workers from infectious disease hazards in various workplace settings.

Why is this important

Worker protections during infectious disease outbreaks directly affect public health and economic continuity. The commission would formalize how Michigan addresses occupational exposure risks—something highlighted as a gap during COVID-19—affecting healthcare workers, first responders, food service employees, and other frontline workers.

Potential points of contention

  • Government mandates vs. business flexibility: Employers may resist strict infectious disease protocols if they conflict with operational costs or existing safety frameworks already governed by OSHA
  • Scope and enforcement ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify whether commission recommendations are mandatory or advisory, and what penalties exist for non-compliance
  • Industry-specific concerns: Different sectors (healthcare vs. retail vs. agriculture) have vastly different exposure risks; one-size-fits-all standards may be ineffective or overburdensome

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

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