Michigan is set to introduce several significant legal changes in 2024. These new laws reflect the state’s ongoing efforts to address contemporary social, economic, and legal issues. The following are some of the key legal changes Michigan residents can expect:
- Minimum Wage Increase: Effective January 1, 2024, Michigan’s minimum wage will rise from $10.10 to $10.33 per hour. This increase also extends to minors aged 16 and 17, who will now earn $8.78 per hour, and tipped employees, whose hourly wage will be $3.93.
- Gun Law Amendments: Starting February 13, 2024, Michigan will enforce new gun laws including background checks, “red flags,” and a firearm ban for domestic violence offenders. Additionally, a new Safe Storage Law will require gun owners to secure their weapons, enhancing firearm safety and responsibility.
- Repeal of Right to Work Law: This repeal signifies a significant shift in labor law, implying that employees in unionized workplaces can no longer opt out of paying union dues. This change is expected to have lasting implications on labor relations and union membership in the state.
- Expansion of Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act: In 2024, this act will be broadened to offer increased protections for the LGBTQ+ community. It aims to safeguard them from discrimination in the workplace, public services, education, and housing, furthering civil rights and equality in the state.
- Prevailing Wage Act: Effective March 2024, this act, applicable to state-funded construction projects, will require every contractor and subcontractor in Michigan to pay prevailing wage and benefit rates to employees on most state-funded construction projects. This law is aimed at ensuring fair wages and benefits for workers in the construction industry.
- Voter Pre-Registration for Teens: A new voting law will allow residents as young as 16 years old to pre-register for elections. This initiative is designed to engage young people in the democratic process early on, enabling them to register to vote when obtaining their driver’s license and ensuring they are ready to vote upon reaching 18.
These legislative changes in Michigan for 2024 demonstrate the state’s commitment to addressing a range of issues from economic welfare and gun safety to civil rights and democratic participation.