HB 4509 — Summary: Audiology & Speech‑Language Pathology Licensure Compact
Status & timeline (key dates)
- Introduced (filed): March 12, 2025 (also recorded May 21, 2025).
- Committee activity: subcommittee hearings and testimony April 2025; substitute (H‑1) considered.
- House action: Substitute adopted; passed the House October 28, 2025 (immediate effect).
- Current procedural status (per bill header): referred to Committee on Health Policy / transmitted for further consideration.
Purpose / Intent
- Enacts Michigan’s participation in the Audiology and Speech‑Language Pathology Compact (an interstate licensure compact) to increase license portability and improve public access to audiology and speech‑language pathology services, including via telehealth. Under the compact, practice is governed by the state where the patient/client/student is located.
Key provisions
- Compact enactment: Adds compact language to the Michigan Public Health Code (new section(s) 16187 / 16187c and also adds sections 16804 and 17603a; amends MCL 333.16801 and 333.17601).
- Compact privilege: Authorizes a “compact privilege” allowing an audiologist or speech‑language pathologist licensed in a member (home) state to practice in other member (remote) states without obtaining a separate license. The compact privilege is treated as equivalent to Michigan licensure while in Michigan.
- Eligibility requirements for compact privilege:
- Active, unrestricted license in home state.
- No adverse action on a license or compact privilege within the prior 2 years.
- Criminal background check/fingerprint submission required (for initial privilege).
- Valid U.S. Social Security number or National Provider Identifier required.
- Must notify the compact commission and pay any applicable fees.
- Scope: Compact privileges apply to in‑person and telehealth services; practice is subject to the remote state’s practice laws and standards.
Governance, data, and rulemaking
- Creates the Audiology & Speech‑Language Pathology Compact Commission (national body composed of delegates from member states) to adopt rules, run a coordinated data system, set fees/dues, and oversee implementation.
- Data system: central repository for licensure, investigation, and adverse‑action information; member states required to submit and share specified records (states may flag nonpublic data).
- Rulemaking: rules generally adopted by majority vote; member states can nullify rules by legislative action within a set period.
Enforcement, investigations, and discipline
- Home state retains exclusive authority to take adverse action against its license; such action deactivates compact privileges in remote states.
- Remote states may take adverse action against a compact privilege within their jurisdiction, issue subpoenas, and participate in joint investigations. Member states must cooperate and share investigative materials.
- Commission and its members/employees are indemnified for actions taken within their official duties.
Special provisions
- Active‑duty military personnel and their spouses may retain a designated home state for licensure while on active duty.
- Compact preserves states’ regulatory authority and scope‑of‑practice laws.
Who is affected
- Primary: audiologists and speech‑language pathologists who hold or seek interstate practice privileges.
- Secondary: licensing boards, employers, telehealth providers, patients (potentially increased access), and the state (administrative obligations, potential commission dues/fees).
Potential impacts / considerations
- Increased interstate portability and expanded patient access (including telehealth).
- Requires Michigan to participate in a national data‑sharing and rulemaking entity and to adopt compact administrative processes (fingerprinting/background checks, use of the commission’s data system).
- May impose administrative costs (commission dues/fees and data reporting); exact amounts not specified in the bill text.
- Strengthens cross‑state disciplinary coordination and information sharing.
For full details, the compact text and bill substitute (H‑1) are included in the bill package and House Fiscal/Committee reports.
