MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS H.B. 4317: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4317 (as reported with amendment) Sponsor: Representative Dan Gustafson House Committee: Regulatory Affairs
Senate Committee: Economic Development, International Trade, and Regulatory Affairs
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to provide for the licensing and regulation of marriage and family therapists; specify the application and license fees; and repeal Article 15 of the Occupational Code, which currently provides for the licensure and regulation of marriage and family therapists, and Section 19 of the State License Fee Act, which specifies the application and license fees. The bill would take effect January 1, 1996.
The bill, in general, would place the existing licensure and regulation requirements for marriage and family therapists in the Public Health Code, and repeal those provisions as currently found in the Occupational Code. In addition, however, the bill would add three public members to the current six-member Board of Marriage and Family Therapy; require that the mandatory academic training for therapists obtained from an accredited training program, college, or university be approved by the Board; and require the Board to grant marriage and family therapy licenses. Currently, under the Occupational Code, the Department of Commerce must grant a marriage and family therapy license to a qualified person.
An individual licensed under current law on the bill's effective date would remain licensed until the license expired; he or she could renew the license under the Public Health Code.
The bill would not mandate additional coverage, benefits, or payments by a health care payment or benefits plan, an insurer, nonprofit health care corporation, or health maintenance organization.
MCL 333.16131 et al. Legislative Analyst: L. Burghardt
Revenue generated through license renewals and applications would be provided to the Department of Commerce, to cover the costs of licensure and regulation of marriage and family therapists. As of the end of March 1994, there were 1,137 licensed therapists. A total of 22 applications were received during FY 1992-93. Total revenue to the Department of Commerce could be as much as $60,000 during FY 1995-96.
There would not be a fiscal impact on local governmental units.
Date Completed: 5-26-95 Fiscal Analyst: K. Lindquist
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.