LANSING, MI (WTVB) – State Representative Andrew Fink says the Michigan Legislature has approved his plan to add a sunset to COVID-19 employer liability and employee exposure protections.
Fink said in a statement released by his office that in late 2020, the Legislature passed several bills to provide businesses with liability protection and protect employees from employer retaliation due to COVID-19 protocols at the time. The bills included new acts to protect employers and employees as well as amendments to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act.
He says while a sunset was originally included in the bills, it was removed during the legislative process and the Legislature must now either rescind or alter the provisions.
Fink said he believes the rigid practices are no longer helpful.
He stated, “Knowledge about the virus and how it should be dealt with has changed significantly since the enactment of these statutes as has the prevalence and availability of treatment. Requiring both employers and employees to abide by these practices is costly and causes confusion as guidance has repeatedly changed.”
The news release went on to say some of the provisions that would sunset under Fink’s plan include requiring employees who test positive for COVID-19 to stay home from work until certain conditions are met and requiring employees who have had contact with them to complete a period of quarantine.
According to Fink, three bills were approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and now move on to be considered by the governor.
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