PA 58 of 2026 – Military Leave for First Responders Act

On July 21, 2026, Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill No. 5233 into law as Public Act 58 of 2026, the Military Leave for First Responders Act.

The Act requires fire departments and law enforcement agencies to provide every full-time employee enlisted in the Guard or reserves with at least 26 days of paid military leave at the start of each year. Part-time, volunteer, and paid on-call members are not covered. Leave is paid at your regular rate.

Your employer must also continue all contractually required fringe benefits and accruals. The leave entitlement does not roll over from year to year and may not be cashed out.

To use it, you must give your employer a copy of your orders. For an absence of 10 or more but fewer than 20 consecutive days, ask at least 14 days in advance. For 20 or more, ask as early as reasonably possible. This paid leave also covers a pre-induction physical for any employee looking to enlist.

The Act sets a minimum and does not reduce any better benefit already in your contract. If your CBA conflicts with the Act, it applies when your contract expires or a successor agreement takes effect, whichever comes first.

A copy of the bill can be accessed through the Legislature’s website at: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-58-of-2026