Bill
HB 4309
Enacts the PA Licensure Compact in Michigan, allowing PAs licensed in participating states to practice in others via a portable privilege, expanding care access.
Status and procedural posture
- Introduced March 11, 2025 (Rep. David Prestin, primary).
- Substitute (H‑1) adopted; passed House May 13, 2025 (Roll Call #104: Yeas 103, Nays 3). House granted immediate effect.
- Transmitted to Senate; reported favorably by Senate Health Policy 11/12/2025 and referred to Committee of the Whole 11/13/2025.
- Amends MCL 333.18001 and adds sections 16188, 17011b, 17511b, 18011b to the Public Health Code.
Main purpose / intent
- To enact the Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact into Michigan law and make Michigan a “participating state.” The Compact enables PAs licensed in one member state to obtain a “compact privilege” to practice in other member states without securing a separate state license, improving license portability and access to care (particularly in underserved areas).
Key provisions and changes
- Enacts the full PA Licensure Compact into Article 15 of the Public Health Code. Major components:
- Participation requirements for states: license PAs, use a recognized national exam (e.g., NCCPA PANCE), implement criminal background checks, report adverse actions, and join the Compact Commission data system.
- Compact privilege: a temporary authorization, equivalent to state licensure while in effect, granted to PAs who hold an unencumbered qualifying license in a participating “home state” and who meet Compact requirements (NCCPA certification, graduation from accredited PA program, no felony/misdemeanor conviction, no controlled-substance licensing revocation/suspension, etc.).
- Jurisdiction and discipline: the home state retains exclusive authority to take adverse action against the home license; remote (host) states may limit/revoke a compact privilege and may investigate and subpoena for matters occurring or relevant to their jurisdiction. Loss or restriction of a home license or compact privilege can remove privileges in all remote states until conditions are met.
- Establishes the PA Licensure Compact Commission (one delegate per member state) to maintain a coordinated data system, adopt rules, levy assessments/fees, and oversee implementation and enforcement.
- Rulemaking, data-sharing, dispute resolution, withdrawal procedures, and required cooperation among executive/legislative/judicial branches are specified.
- Model effective timing in the bill text: compact takes effect 90 days after enactment (note: House action granted immediate effect).
Who would be affected
- Physician assistants: increased mobility and ability to practice in other compact states via compact privilege. Military personnel and spouses benefit from portability provisions.
- Patients and employers: potentially faster recruitment and improved access to PA services, especially in underserved regions.
- State regulatory agencies (LARA in Michigan): must integrate with the Compact Commission data system, implement reporting and background-check processes, and enforce Compact provisions.
- Michigan state finances: potential reductions in traditional licensure fee revenue if out‑of‑state PAs practice under compact privileges without Michigan license applications; potential new assessments from the Commission.
Fiscal and operational impacts
- Fiscal impact is indeterminate. LARA estimates about $100,000 for data integration work. Other potential costs include legal and enforcement expenses if the State defaults on Compact terms, and unknown annual assessments levied by the Compact Commission. Traditional licensure revenues could decline if many PAs practice in Michigan under compact privileges without paying standard state licensing fees.
Related/other notes
- Reintroduction of prior effort (House Bill 5117 in 2023–24). Companion bill: SB 2197.
- Full Compact text is included in the bill; the Compact aligns practice jurisdiction to the patient’s location at the time of the encounter.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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