Michigan Laws Going Into Effect on January 1, 2025

As a new year arrives, that also means new laws. It's always a good idea to be aware of new laws going into effect on January 1, because these laws could impact you. You also never want to be surprised by new laws, too. So, let's get into some new Michigan laws going into effect on January 1, 2025. New Michigan Laws for 2025 Minimum wage Per the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act, Michigan's minimum wage will go up twice during 2025, as the result of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Beginning January 1, 2025, the minimum wage rate in Michigan will go up from $10.33 to $10.56 per hour. Also, workers under the age of 18 will have their rate go up from $8.78 to $8.98 per hour. Tipped employees' rate of hourly pay will go up from $3.93 to $4.01 per hour. Then, beginning February 21, 2025, the state's minimum hourly wage rate will be $12.48 per hour. Workers under the age of 18 will have a minimum wage increase to $10.61 per hour. Tipped employees will go up to $5.99 per hour. Earned sick days According to the Earned Sick Time Act, Michigan's earned sick time laws will change in February 2025. The act was passed by voters in 2018 and then approved by the Michigan Supreme Court in July, 2024. It replaces the Paid Medical Leave Act. The voter initiative was originally passed in 2018, but wasn't instated until the Michigan Supreme Court approved the law in July, 2024. So, beginning Feb. 21, 2025 all Michigan employers will be required to provide designated sick time. So, as you're enjoying lots of Christmas activities and trips, make note of some of these changes in laws that will kick in just a few days from now. What's a Bill? So, what exactly is a bill? A bill is a "proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law," according to the USA Gov website, and the concept "for a bill can come from a sitting member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives or be proposed during their election campaign." If you've ever wondered how long it takes for a federal law to go into effect, according to the USA Gov website, it's a lengthy and extensive process. For the national laws, it involves the House, Senate and president. Once it gets to the president, the president may sign it into law or refuse to approve it by vetoing it. If the president does veto it, in most cases, Congress can vote to override that veto and make it a law. But, if the president just doesn't sign it and that law is still unsigned when Congress is no longer in session, the bill will be vetoed as a "pocket veto." As for state laws, each state has different methods for approving laws. One commonality, though, is that many states have their new laws go into effect on January 1 of a new year. Some state and federal laws also go into effect on July 1, because that makes the halfway point between the year.