The bill amends section 556 of the Michigan penal code to enhance protections against wage discrimination. It specifies that employers must not discriminate in wage payments based on sex, religion, race, color, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, or other characteristics protected under the Elliot-Larsen civil rights act. The bill introduces penalties for violations, categorizing them based on the number of employees an employer has, with fines ranging from $5,000 for employers with 1 to 15 employees, to $20,000 for those with more than 50 employees.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that differences in wage rates based on factors other than the specified protected characteristics do not constitute a violation of this section. It also establishes that individuals found guilty of violating this section can face misdemeanor charges, while still allowing for other legal actions to be taken for related violations. The amendments are set to take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 750.556