MI HB5919

Prohibits public employers from requiring employees or elected officials who opt out of medical benefit plans to participate in exit interviews or exit programs as a condition of receiving opt-out benefits.

Creates civil liability for public employers that violate the prohibition, allowing affected employees or officials to recover damages equal to the opt-out benefit they did not receive or would have received.

Authorizes employees or officials harmed by violations to bring civil actions for damages or injunctive relief, with courts required to award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to prevailing parties.

Grants the Attorney General authority to bring civil actions on behalf of one or more employees or officials affected by violations.

Exempts violations of the new section 3a from the existing penalty provisions in section 9 (which impose 10% reductions in state economic vitality incentive program payments and education funding for non-compliance with the act).