2014 House Bill 5217 / Public Act 360

Authorize government “certificate of employability” for ex-cons

Introduced in the House

Jan. 9, 2014

Introduced by Rep. John Walsh (R-19)

To give employers limited liability in personal injury, property damage and wrongful death lawsuits arising from the actions of an employee who is an ex-convict hired after the individual was granted a “certificate of employability” by the state Department of Corrections, as proposed by House Bill 5216.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce

March 19, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

April 17, 2014

Substitute offered

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. John Walsh (R-19)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jon Switalski (D-28)

To add additional limitations on the proposed limitation of employer liability.

The amendment failed by voice vote

April 29, 2014

Passed in the House 65 to 45 (details)

To limit the liability of employers in personal injury, property damage and wrongful death lawsuits arising from the actions of an employee who is an ex-convict hired after the individual was granted a “certificate of employability” by the state Department of Corrections, as proposed by House Bill 5216.

Received in the Senate

April 30, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 8, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 13, 2014

Amendment offered

To not waive liability if an employer disregards a prior conviction even if an ex-convict has a “certificate of employability”.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Dec. 3, 2014

Passed in the Senate 27 to 11 (details)

To limit the liability of employers in personal injury, property damage and wrongful death lawsuits arising from the actions of an employee who is an ex-convict hired after the individual was granted a “certificate of employability” by the state Department of Corrections, as proposed by House Bill 5216.

Received in the House

Dec. 3, 2014

Dec. 9, 2014

Passed in the House 65 to 44 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 17, 2014