Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

in committee · Michigan · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 5522: Health occupations: physician's assistants; licensure of physician's assistants; modify. Amends (see bill).

HB 5522 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update delegation rules for physician assistants (PAs). It clarifies that supervising physicians may delegate specific medical tasks to PAs under certain conditions, including direct physical supervision during procedures. The bill specifies that PAs can perform surgical tasks only when a licensed physician is present, and outlines requirements for health facilities to authorize such delegation. These changes directly affect PAs, physicians, and healthcare facilities by defining clearer boundaries for PA scope of practice under supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies PA delegation rules to improve access under physician supervision, enhancing healthcare delivery efficiency without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 226: A resolution to urge the United States Department of Education to reject the recommended definition of “professional degree” and instead adopt a more accurate and consistent definition.

This resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject a proposed definition of "professional degree" that would exclude many health care education programs from federal student loan eligibility. It specifically targets programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work, and physician assistant studies - classified under CIP Code 51 - which would lose access to loans under the current proposal. The bill requests the Department instead adopt a definition based on required practice credentials, not program length or historical classification, to maintain consistent eligibility. This change aims to prevent worsening health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents defunding of health care education programs by preserving federal student loan eligibility for nursing, physical therapy, and similar fields under CIP Code 51.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents defunding of healthcare education programs (nursing, PT, etc.) by ensuring federal student loan eligibility, directly supporting healthcare workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPreserves federal student loan access for healthcare education programs (nursing, physical therapy), enabling workforce development in critical labor sectors affected by proposed definition changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 268: Health occupations: advanced practice registered nurses; scope of practice of registered professional nurses who hold specialty certifications as nurse practitioners; modify. Amends secs. 17201, 17210, 17211a & 17212 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17201 et seq.) & adds sec. 17210a.

Senate Bill 268 proposes to modify the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Michigan, specifically focusing on nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. It expands the authority of certified nurse anesthetists to include prescribing and administering anesthesia and analgesic agents, as well as developing and implementing care plans. These services may be provided without direct physician supervision if the nurse anesthetist meets specific experience or education requirements and participates in a patient-centered care team. The bill also allows healthcare facilities to adopt policies for these services and clarifies that it does not mandate new third-party reimbursement or worker's compensation benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands APRN scope to allow independent prescribing and anesthesia care without physician supervision, improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Michigan · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 4534: Criminal procedure: mental capacity; assisted outpatient treatment diversion program for certain patients with mental illness; provide for. Amends sec. 461 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1461) & adds sec. 1021 & ch. 10A. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4532'25, HB 4533'25, HB 4535'25

HB 4534 creates a diversion program allowing misdemeanor defendants with mental illness to receive outpatient treatment instead of criminal prosecution for certain offenses, including crimes against health professionals (MCL 750.81d). It requires a court assessment by a qualified health professional to determine eligibility, after which the defendant may be diverted into up to 90 days of outpatient treatment for standard misdemeanors or 180 days for "serious misdemeanors." Charges remain pending but must be dismissed 90 or 180 days after the treatment order, unless the defendant fails to comply with the treatment plan, which triggers civil proceedings under existing mental health code sections. The program directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor charges who meet clinical criteria for mental health treatment diversion.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates mental health diversion program reducing criminal prosecution for eligible defendants, aligning with reform goals of rehabilitation over punishment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates outpatient treatment diversion for mental illness, improving access to mental health services instead of criminal prosecution for eligible defendants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 12, 2025

HB 4246: Health occupations: nurses; nurse licensure compact; enact. Amends secs. 16170a, 16222, 16231, 16238 & 17201 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16170a et seq.) & adds secs. 16187, 17225 & 17225a.

HB 4246 enacts Michigan's participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses licensed in Michigan to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes mutual recognition of nursing licenses across states, facilitating easier interstate practice for registered and licensed practical nurses. It includes mechanisms for sharing information about nurse licensure and disciplinary actions to maintain public safety and consistent practice standards. This bill directly affects nurses seeking to work across state lines and the Michigan Board of Nursing, which will implement the compact's requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnacts Nurse Licensure Compact enabling Michigan nurses to practice across participating states, improving healthcare access and workforce mobility without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 4901: Health: licensing; licensing of nurses and speech-language pathologists; modify. Amends secs. 17211 & 17603 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17211 & 333.17603).

HB 4901 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to clarify licensing requirements for nurses and speech-language pathologists. It specifies that only licensed professionals can use titles like "registered nurse" (RN), "licensed practical nurse" (LPN), or "speech-language pathologist" (Section 17211 and 17603). The bill maintains a 3-year license cycle for both professions but delays the restriction on "clinical nurse specialist" titles until 12 months after related rules are finalized. This is a technical update to existing licensing rules, not a new policy change.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies licensing requirements for healthcare professionals, ensuring only licensed individuals use protected titles to maintain safety standards and professional integrity, aligning with patient protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 5150: Health occupations: respiratory therapists; licensure for respiratory therapists; modify. Amends secs. 16204, 16344, 18701, 18703, 18707 & 18709 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16204 et seq.) & adds secs. 18710 & 18712.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizes respiratory therapist licensure standards and scope of practice, updating regulatory requirements to maintain professional standards within healthcare workforce framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 222: Mental health: other; petition for access to assisted outpatient treatment; expand to additional health providers. Amends sec. 473 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1473).

SB 222 expands who can petition for continued involuntary mental health treatment under Michigan's assisted outpatient program. It adds psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants (working under a psychiatrist's delegation) to the list of eligible petitioners and allows individuals aged 18 or older to file petitions for themselves. Petitions must include a clinical certificate and evidence of a psychiatrist's consultation (unless the filer is a psychiatrist), along with details about the treatment program and estimated duration needed. This change directly affects patients requiring ongoing treatment and increases the number of authorized mental health providers who can initiate the petition process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health treatment access by allowing self-petitions and adding psychiatric nurse practitioners/physician assistants to initiate assisted outpatient care, strengthening patient rights and service availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Michigan · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 4899: Health occupations: nurses; evaluation of foreign trained registered nurses; modify. Amends sec. 17213 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17213).

This bill modifies Michigan's licensing rules for foreign-trained registered nurses. It requires the Board of Nursing to accept verification from specific organizations (like CGFNS) to confirm foreign education programs are substantially equivalent to Michigan-approved programs. The bill also simplifies licensing for nurses already licensed in another U.S. state or Canadian province with 5+ years of active, unblemished practice, eliminating the need for program verification in those cases. These changes directly affect foreign-educated nurses and out-of-state nurses seeking Michigan licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines nurse licensing for foreign-trained and out-of-state nurses, reducing barriers to practice and improving healthcare workforce access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 296: Health facilities: hospitals; mandatory overtime for nurses; prohibit except under certain circumstances. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 21526. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0297'25

Senate Bill 296 prohibits hospitals from requiring registered professional nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled, on-call, or voluntarily agreed-upon hours. It mandates that nurses working 12 or more consecutive hours receive 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately afterward. Exceptions to this prohibition include declared states of emergency, mass casualty incidents, certain patient-care procedures, and situations where an oncoming nurse is unexpectedly absent. The bill also protects nurses from retaliation if they refuse work assignments that exceed these limits and requires hospitals to post notices informing nurses of these provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory nurse overtime and mandates rest periods, directly protecting healthcare workers' well-being to improve patient safety and care quality within healthcare facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits mandatory overtime for nurses and mandates 8 hours off after 12-hour shifts, directly protecting worker rest periods and workplace safety under Labor: hours and wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Labor Standards

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