MI HB5051

Adds definitions for "asbestos," "friable asbestos material," and "asbestos-related violation" to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Modifies civil penalty provisions to specify that the board (rather than the employer) shall or may assess penalties, and clarifies penalty amounts ranging from $7,000 for serious violations to $70,000 for willful or repeated violations.

Establishes a 5-year lookback period for determining "repeatedly violates" status specifically for asbestos-related violations, measured from the "case closing date" when citation is final, abatement is documented, and penalties are paid.

Restricts penalty reductions for asbestos-related violations to maximum limits: 70% for business size, 25% for good-faith efforts, and 10% for prior citation history.

Changes department oversight from separate labor and public health departments to consolidated Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity for administering and enforcing occupational safety and health penalties.