ACUPUNCTURIST LICENSURE                                                               H.B. 4710 (H-2):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4710 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Bronna Kahle

House Committee:  Health Policy

                             Ways and Means

Senate Committee:  Health Policy and Human Services

CONTENT

The bill would amend Article 15 (Occupations) of the Public Health Code to do the following:

-- Change the heading of Part 165 to "Acupuncture".

-- Provide for the licensure, rather than registration, of acupuncturists.

-- Require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), in conjunction with the Michigan Board of Acupuncture, to promulgate rules setting forth the minimum standards for licensure as an acupuncturist and implement a licensure program for the practice of acupuncture.

-- Require LARA to issue a license to an applicant who met current and proposed licensing requirements.

-- Require LARA to issue a limited license to an applicant who met certain licensing requirements.

-- Prohibit a person from practicing as an acupuncturist without a license or other authority, after the rules took effect.

-- Exempt from licensure certain individuals and practices.

-- Prohibit a licensed physician or surgeon from delegating an act, task, or function to an individual who was not licensed and who was performing acupuncture, beginning 36 months after promulgated rules took effect.

-- Require a licensed acupuncturist seeking license renewal to furnish LARA with evidence that he or she had attended continuing education courses or programs related to the practice of acupuncture.

-- Apply current registration fees to licensure and prescribe fees for a limited license and a temporary license.

-- Require at least one physician who was serving on the Board to have completed at least 300 hours of systematic acupuncture education.

MCL 333.16215 et al.                                               Legislative Analyst:  Tyler VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill likely would have a minor negative fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and no fiscal impact on local government units. Currently, registered acupuncturists pay an application fee of $75 and an annual registration fee of $200. Under the bill, the application fee would remain at the current level and the annual fee also would be maintained as a license fee. Limited and temporary license fees each would be $200.

There were 214 registered acupuncturists in the State at the beginning of fiscal year 2019-20. The Department could experience a minor increase in revenue during the transition period and from those seeking limited or temporary licenses. However, this revenue would be partially offset by associated processing and administration costs. It is unknown how many individuals would seek licensure under the bill.

Rule promulgation required by the bill would be funded out of existing appropriations.

Date Completed:  10-25-19                                      Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Raczkowski

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.