PA 171 of 2023 – Binding Arbitration for County Corrections Deputies

Yesterday, Governor Whitmer signed house Bill No. 4438 into law as Public Act 171 of 2023. Introduced by Representative Kelly Breen (D – Novi), the legislation amends Public Act 312 of 1969 (Compulsory Arbitration of Labor Disputes in Police and Fire Departments) to include county corrections deputies.

PA 312 of 1969 (see MCL 423.232), commonly referred to as “Act 312”, requires the resolution of labor disputes involving police officers by compulsory, binding arbitration. Prior to this legislation, eligibility for 312 arbitration was limited to those sheriff’s deputies who performed a law enforcement function. The bill as signed by the Governor modifies the definition for eligibility to make the Act applicable to corrections officers employed by a county sheriff and working in a facility housing adult inmates. The final version of the bill also included an amendment proposed by Sen. Darring Camilleri (D – Trenton) in Committee that expands eligibility for 312 arbitration to Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (“MCOLES”) certified police officers who are employed by a college or university.

The bill passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bi-partisan support and took immediate effect.