ON-LINE CONTINUING EDUCATION ACT S.B. 167 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 167 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Affairs
CONTENT
The bill would create the "On-line Continuing Education Act" to provide that an occupational regulatory agency requiring a program of continuing education as part of a program of continuing professional competency for renewal of a license, would be required, to the extent practicable, to allow at least half of the required credit hours of continuing education to be earned through on-line or electronic media meeting standards acceptable to the regulatory agency. This would apply except as otherwise provided in a specific act, or as otherwise required by a rule promulgated before the bill's effective date, concerning a regulated occupation.
If an occupational regulatory agency did not allow at least half of the required credit hours of continuing education to be earned through an on-line or electronic media, the director would have to notify the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over licensing matters, and explain why on-line or electronic media was not practicable.
The proposed Act would not apply to continuing education or training programs offered as part of a licensure, registration, certification, or accreditation program that must be approved by an agency of the Federal government.
An occupational regulatory agency could promulgate or amend rules to implement the proposed Act, except as otherwise provided by law.
"Occupational regulatory agency" would mean a department, bureau, or agency of the State that has regulatory authority over a regulated occupation. "Regulated occupation" would mean an occupation, profession, or vocation that requires a license (or a certificate, registration, or accreditation) as a predicate for the practice of the occupation, profession, or vocation or that provides for the use of a specific title or professional designation in the practice of the occupation, profession, or vocation. "Continuing education" would mean instructional courses designed to bring participants up to date on a particular area of knowledge or skills.
The proposed Act would take effect July 1, 2007.
Legislative Analyst: J.P. Finet
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill could increase the administrative costs of occupational regulatory agencies by an unknown amount if administrative rules had to be revised or promulgated to implement the bill.
The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
Date Completed: 4-21-05 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt, David Fosdick
floor\sb167 Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
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.
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. sb167/0506