House unanimously approves Franz’ bill to safeguard National Guard employment protections

State Rep. Ray Franz of Onekama, left, and Deputy General Counsel to the Michigan Army and National Guard Major David Bedells of Traverse City, delivered testimony today to the House Judiciary Committee in support of Rep. Franz’s legislation to protect veterans disability benefits. This legislation is House Bill 4170.

LANSING — State Rep. Ray Franz’ legislation to ensure employment protections for the men and women of the National Guard unanimously passed the House Tuesday in a full floor vote.

“House Bill 4796 will bring Michigan in-line with the federal standard of employment protections for military service members as demonstrated by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994,” Rep. Franz said. “HB 4796 will resolve this issue by implementing common-sense legislation to grant out-of-state National Guard members the same job security as Michigan’s in-state National Guard members.”

HB 4796 will protect the men and women of the National Guard from losing their employment in the state of Michigan if they are called to military service in another state.

The State of Michigan currently only protects employment of a Michigan National Guard member when they are on active military service in this state.

“Under current law, those individuals that serve as members of the National Guard for another state but retain employment within Michigan are not eligible for this employment protection,” Rep. Franz said. “HB 4796 will correct the current oversight and appropriately afford the men and women serving our country the benefits they rightfully deserve. I am confident this legislation will also pass the Senate.”

House Bill 4796 now advances to the Senate for their consideration.