Healthcare (Public Health · Licensing)

This bill updates Michigan's public health code to standardize the information required on professional licensure and renewal applications for healthcare workers. It mandates that applicants provide their full legal name and Social Security number, while ensuring these numbers are not printed on the final license or registration certificate. The legislation also expands disclosure requirements by asking applicants to report felony convictions, specific misdemeanor offenses, out-of-state disciplinary actions, hospital employment details, and written policies for medical record management. Exceptions are made for individuals who are legally exempt from obtaining a Social Security number or who have religious objections to disclosing it.

This bill removes a specific legal provision that previously allowed mental health counselors to obtain a limited license to practice in Michigan. By repealing Section 18109 of the Public Health Code, the legislation eliminates the existing framework for this particular licensing option. The change directly affects the regulatory environment for mental health counselors and the state's licensing board, which will no longer be able to issue these limited licenses under the old rules.

This bill modifies Michigan's Public Health Code to streamline the licensing process for health professionals who already hold valid credentials in other U.S. states or Canadian provinces. It allows these out-of-state applicants to receive a Michigan license without taking additional examinations if they meet specific criteria, such as having held their current license for at least one year and working in a role that aligns with their existing qualifications. The legislation also creates a separate pathway for veterans, military members, and their dependents to obtain initial licensure without an exam by proving their out-of-state credentials are equivalent to Michigan standards. Additionally, the bill sets a 90-day deadline for the state department to approve or deny applications under these new provisions.

SB 803 creates a new licensure requirement for freestanding facilities that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a medical treatment using pressurized oxygen. It directly affects businesses operating standalone HBOT centers and patients receiving this therapy by establishing specific safety and operational standards. The bill amends Michigan's Public Health Code to add licensing rules for these facilities, ensuring they meet state health and safety criteria. This change applies to facilities not located within hospitals, requiring them to obtain state licensure before operation.