Michigan bill would protect some first responders from employer discrimination

(The Center Square) – A new bill introduced to the Michigan House would protect emergency responders from getting penalized for leaving work to address crises.

Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, introduced HB 5905 Tuesday, which would prohibit employers from discriminating against, disciplining or discharging an employee for being absent from work to deal with an emergency as an emergency responder.

The employee must provide proof of need for the employee’s service, the emergency must occur in the employee’s jurisdiction, and the emergency must have begun before the start of the employee’s work shift.

The bill makes an exception for employees whose absence would create a workplace safety concern. The bill would not require employers to treat the employee’s absence as paid time off.

While emergency medical services personnel and firefighters are included under the bill, it does not cover law enforcement officers. States including California, New York, Tennessee and New Jersey already have such protections for volunteer firefighters and other first responders.

There are about 12,000 firefighters, 28,804 EMS providers, and 6,880 paramedics in Michigan according to 2019 statistics .