LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Thursday introduced legislation to create a tax credit for Michigan employers who allow their employees to take time off with full pay as they recover from donating an organ to save a person’s life.
“One of the greatest deterrents to living organ donation is the fear of income loss during recovery. This legislation would eliminate that financial stress and ensure no Michigan resident is forced to choose between saving a life and keeping their job or paycheck,” said Bellino, R- Monroe. “This compassionate and responsible tax reform would balance protecting job providers with creating a safer path for living organ donors and a brighter future for those waiting for a life-saving transplant.”
Under Senate Bill 301, workers who donate an organ would be able to take up to 12 weeks of fully paid leave funded through a tax credit to their employer. The employer would receive a state income tax credit equal to 100% of the wages paid during the donor’s leave.
To be eligible for the credit, the donor would need to provide physician verification of the organ donation, and the paid leave must be in addition to existing paid leave benefits.
As of May 5, there were 2,237 Michiganders awaiting a kidney transplant and 149 waiting for a liver transplant.
This year, 38 living organ donations have been performed in Michigan, and the state has averaged 151 donations each year since 2020.
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