Legislation Introduced on Interstate Licensure for Nurses, Physical Therapists
Posted on January 25, 2019
On Jan. 15, Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township) introduced House Bill (HB) 4042, a bill that would allow Michigan to enter an interstate nurse licensure compact. HB 4042 would provide an expedited pathway for qualified nurses to obtain licensure privilege to practice in multiple states; it was referred to the House Health Policy Committee. There are currently 29 states with active membership in the interstate nurse licensure compact, with two more slated to join in July.
Whiteford introduced a bill with identical language during the last legislative session, but the House Health Policy Committee did not address it in a hearing. The MHA supported that bill, HB 4938 of 2017, in addition to an interstate licensure compact for physicians that was signed into law during last year’s lame-duck session.
Sen. Dale Zorn introduced Senate Bill (SB) 22, which would create a similar interstate licensure agreement regarding physical therapists. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy and Human Services Jan. 15. The MHA has not yet taken a position on SB 22.
The MHA will keep members apprised as these bills move through the Legislature. For more information, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.
Tags: advocacy, professional licensing, HB 4042
Posted in: Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare