Health facilities: nursing homes; requirement for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes to complete fall prevention training established by the department; provide for. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 21795a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 26 co-sponsors

Michigan nursing homes must ensure unlicensed staff complete a fall prevention training program developed by LARA with DHHS.

bill electronically reproduced 03/05/2026

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Purpose and intent

To enhance safety in nursing homes by reducing fall risk through training.

Specifically requires unlicensed personnel (non-licensed staff) working in nursing homes to complete a designated fall prevention training program.

The training program would be established and administered by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Key provisions

Section 21795a (new addition to the Public Health Code, MCL 333.21795a)

Program establishment and administration

LARA, in consultation with DHHS, must establish and administer a fall prevention training program for unlicensed personnel in nursing homes.

Mandatory training for unlicensed personnel

Nursing homes must ensure that their unlicensed personnel complete the fall prevention training program.

Entities affected

Unlicensed nursing home staff: Required to complete the fall prevention training.

Nursing homes: Responsible for ensuring their unlicensed staff complete the training.

LARA: Would establish and administer the training program, potentially updating existing procedures.

DHHS: Consulted in the program’s development and administration.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill outlines a mandatory training requirement but, as introduced, does not specify a timeline for rollout, start dates, or enforcement mechanisms. Instead, it directs the department to establish and administer the program and for nursing homes to ensure completion by their staff, with the expectation that implementation would follow once the program is in place.

The bill’s effective date is contingent on the passage (and potential companion enactment in the Senate) of HB 5678 or its Senate equivalent.

Fiscal impact

Minimal cost to state agencies: The House Fiscal Agency analysis indicates a minimal fiscal impact on LARA. LARA already maintains a fall prevention training program for both licensed and unlicensed nursing home staff. Costs to review and potentially update the program in coordination with DHHS are estimated at no more than $100,000 if changes are needed.

No significant impact on DHHS or local governments: The analysis projects no material fiscal burden on DHHS or local units of government.

Supporting and related provisions

A companion bill, HB 5679, would require employers (e.g., nursing homes) to pay employees their normal wage rate for time spent in fall prevention training (i.e., compensation for training time). HB 5679 would take effect only if HB 5678 (or its Senate counterpart) is enacted.

Sponsor and support details: Introduced by Rep. Julie Rogers with multiple co-sponsors and bipartisan sponsorship. Committee: Families and Veterans.

Plain-language takeaway

If enacted, Michigan nursing homes would need to ensure that non-licensed staff complete a fall prevention training program developed by LARA in coordination with DHHS. The training is designed to reduce falls among residents. A companion measure would require employers to pay employees for the training time. The fiscal impact on state government is expected to be small.

Bill