This bill, known as the Medical Debt Act, prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt in credit reports and bars creditors from reporting such debts to these agencies. It also prevents lenders from using unpaid medical bills as a negative factor when making credit decisions, with the exception of large mortgage loans exceeding federal limits. Additionally, the law restricts collection agencies from falsely claiming that medical debt will be reported on a consumer's credit file. These measures aim to protect individuals from having their medical financial obligations negatively impact their creditworthiness and future borrowing opportunities.
This bill allows nurse practitioners to determine disability status for individuals applying for Michigan disability parking placards, expanding the list of qualified medical professionals beyond physicians and physician assistants. The legislation amends existing vehicle code sections to include nurse practitioners alongside doctors, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and optometrists who can certify a person's disability. The bill does not change the specific medical criteria for qualifying disabilities or the process for obtaining parking placards, but it broadens who can officially verify that a person meets those criteria. This change affects disabled individuals seeking parking privileges and the healthcare providers who evaluate their eligibility.
HB 4727 requires courts in Michigan to appoint only licensed professional guardians or conservators for individuals under legal protection (wards, developmentally disabled, or incapacitated persons). It mandates that these professionals must hold a license under Michigan's occupational code, and prohibits unlicensed employees from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for the individuals they serve. The bill also requires transparency by requiring professionals to disclose outside compensation from sources other than the ward's estate and to maintain visitation schedules for wards. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage.
HB 4729 updates Michigan's rules for appointing guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities. It requires courts to prioritize licensed professional guardians (under Article 14A of the Occupational Code) when appointing guardians, and prohibits unlicensed employees of such guardians from making medical, financial, or housing decisions for these individuals. The law also mandates that courts consider the individual's preference for a guardian before making an appointment. These changes take effect two years after the bill's passage, aiming to ensure guardianship appointments meet professional standards.
HB 5255, the "Medical Debt Protection Act," limits how medical debt can be collected in Michigan, directly affecting patients with medical debt and large healthcare providers (with $20 million+ annual revenue) or medical debt buyers. It prohibits charging interest or late fees for 90 days after a bill is due and caps annual interest at 3% on medical debt. The bill bans aggressive collection tactics like wage garnishment for patients qualifying for financial assistance under a healthcare facility's policy, and requires medical debt buyers to follow strict rules, including not using prohibited collection actions and returning debt if a patient qualifies for financial aid.
HB 5387 amends Michigan's "Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act" to specifically include "missing veterans at risk" in the definition of persons eligible for emergency alerts. The bill defines a "missing veteran at risk" as an active-duty service member or veteran reported missing with a documented physical or mental health condition. This change directly affects veterans who go missing and have health conditions, ensuring they are covered under the same alert protocols as seniors and vulnerable adults. The law does not create new procedures but clarifies who qualifies for existing emergency reporting mechanisms.
House Bill 4468 amends Michigan's insurance code to require health insurers to provide specific coverage related to gender transition. The bill mandates coverage for all adverse consequences, including short- or long-term side effects, related to an enrollee's gender transition procedure or treatment. It also requires coverage for annual mental and physical health monitoring for these enrollees. Furthermore, HB 4468 requires coverage for any procedure or treatment necessary to reverse an enrollee's gender transition, even if the enrollee was not covered by the policy at the time of the original procedure.
House Bill 4466 proposes to amend Michigan's Public Health Code. The bill seeks to establish sanctions for licensed healthcare professionals who perform gender reassignment procedures or provide related treatment to minors. It would modify sections 16221 and 16226 of the code, which pertain to professional licensing and disciplinary actions. This legislation directly affects healthcare providers and minors in Michigan by regulating the types of medical services that can be offered.
HB 4467, titled the "protecting minors from chemical and surgical mutilation act," prohibits health care professionals from providing specific medical treatments to individuals under 18 years old. It bans administering puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and certain surgeries when performed to alter a minor's physical appearance or affirm their psychological perception of sex if inconsistent with their biological sex. The bill includes exceptions for minors with medically verifiable disorders of sex development or for treating complications from previous gender-transition procedures. Individuals alleging a violation may bring civil actions for remedies, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce the act.
HB 5150 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update licensing requirements for respiratory therapists. It modifies existing sections and adds new provisions (18710 and 18712) related to licensure eligibility, education standards, and scope of practice. The bill directly affects respiratory therapists seeking or maintaining their licenses in Michigan by changing specific regulatory requirements. These changes aim to modernize the licensure process within the state's healthcare framework. The bill was introduced on October 28, 2025, and referred to the Health Policy Committee.
