HB 4790 requires Michigan physicians to complete continuing education on menopause and related conditions as part of their mandatory professional development. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code (sections 333.17033 and 333.17533) to add these topics to the list of required educational areas. This directly affects all licensed physicians in Michigan who must fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. The key provision updates existing rules to ensure physicians receive specific training on menopause care, aiming to improve patient education and treatment options.
HB 4593 prohibits dentists from representing themselves as a "dental specialist" or claiming specialization in specific dental areas without proper certification. This bill directly affects dentists who may use such titles in their practice or marketing. It amends Michigan law (MCL 333.16608) to add this restriction, making it illegal to use these terms under certain circumstances without meeting defined qualifications. The bill focuses on preventing misleading claims about specialty expertise in dental care.
HB 4932 modifies Michigan's continuing education requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians renewing their licenses. It adds a new requirement that 100% of the continuing education hours must include pain and symptom management content, as specified by the department. The bill also allows all continuing education to be completed online or electronically through department-approved programs. This applies directly to licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seeking license renewal in Michigan, without changing the existing hour requirements (30 hours for pharmacists, 20 hours for technicians).
HB 4530 requires mental health professionals (like therapists and counselors) to share relevant records with child welfare investigators within 7 days when a child abuse or neglect investigation is underway. It overrides standard confidentiality privileges (such as doctor-patient privilege) for these specific records to ensure timely information sharing. The bill also grants legal immunity to professionals who comply in good faith, protecting them from lawsuits unless gross negligence occurs. This change directly affects mental health providers and child welfare caseworkers in Michigan, streamlining access to critical information during investigations.
HB 5039 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add disciplinary action for health professionals who make false representations in assisted reproduction services. It specifically adds "misrepresentation to a consumer or patient" in professional practice (including assisted reproduction) as a prohibited act under disciplinary grounds. This directly affects licensed health professionals, such as fertility specialists or clinics, who provide or advertise assisted reproductive services. The bill expands existing disciplinary criteria to include fraud or false claims related to fees or services in this field, allowing the licensing board to investigate and take action for such violations.
HB 5036 prohibits knowingly providing false or misleading information about assisted reproduction procedures in Michigan, targeting health professionals and donors. It penalizes false claims regarding embryos/gametes, donor identity (including name or birthdate), or donor medical/family history with up to 5 years in prison or $50,000 fines. Health professionals who use unconsented embryos or gametes face harsher penalties: up to 15 years or $100,000 fines, and anonymous donor requests do not excuse violations. The bill applies to fertility clinics and providers, aiming to ensure transparency in services like IVF where accurate donor information is critical.
SB 95 (the "hospital price transparency act") prohibits hospitals from attempting to collect debts for services provided when they were not complying with state price transparency laws. It specifically bans hospitals from using debt collectors, suing patients, or reporting debts to credit bureaus for care received during non-compliance periods. The bill directly affects hospitals that fail to publicly list prices for services (like "chargemaster" rates) and patients who received care during those violations. Key provisions define "collection actions" and clarify that hospitals cannot pursue payment for non-compliant billing periods, offering patients remedies if hospitals attempt collection anyway.
HB 4915 prohibits Michigan health licensing boards from requiring implicit bias training as a condition for obtaining or renewing a health professional license (such as for nurses, doctors, or therapists). It directly affects licensed health professionals who would otherwise need to complete such training to maintain their credentials. The bill achieves this by adding a new section to the Public Health Code that blocks the department or boards from enforcing rules mandating this training, while also rescinding an existing administrative code section (MCL 338.7004) related to the requirement. This is a concrete policy change removing a potential licensure condition, not a new mandate.
SB 370 creates Michigan's "Tricare premium reimbursement program" to help National Guard members cover health insurance costs. It directly affects Michigan National Guard members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select or Tricare Dental programs who aren't covered by employer plans or other insurance. The program reimburses members for premiums they pay for these specific Tricare plans, using funds from the existing Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund. To qualify, members must apply through a department-form on the website, and reimbursements are made only if sufficient funds are available.
HB 4926 amends Michigan's health licensing law to create a new process for certain licensed health professionals to have disciplinary records vacated. It adds Section 16211a to the licensing code, establishing specific criteria and procedures for licensees who had past disciplinary actions to petition to clear those records after meeting defined conditions. This directly affects licensed nurses, pharmacists, and other health registrants who faced disciplinary actions but have since demonstrated rehabilitation and compliance. The bill provides a structured, statutory pathway for these individuals to seek record clearance, moving beyond previous administrative discretion.
