Michigan Governor Vetoes Bill Forgiving COVID-Related Workplace Violations

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks to reporters in Midland, Mich., on May 20, 2020. Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) on Nov. 11 vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have forgiven some penalties imposed on businesses for first-time COVID-19 violations in Michigan.

House Bill 4501 would have prevented the Michigan Occupational and Safety Health Administration (MIOSHA) from issuing fines to businesses for a “first-time civil violation of an emergency standard related to COVID-19, if the employer corrects the violation,” according to a Nov. 3 statement from Michigan House Republicans.