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HB 5964

Health occupations: physicians; interstate medical licensure compact; remove sunset. Amends sec. 16189 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16189).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Felicia Brabec and 18 co-sponsors

HB 5964 removes Michigan's sunset on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, making expedited, multi-state physician licensure permanent and boosting access to care.

PLACED ON IMMEDIATE PASSAGE
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Bill Summary · HB 5964

Summary — HB 5964 (MCL 333.16189)

Title: Health occupations: physicians; interstate medical licensure compact; remove sunset.
Introduced: Sept. 26, 2024 (Rep. Jennifer Conlin) — Amends section 16189 of the Public Health Code.
Current status (as of Jan. 22, 2025): Passed by the Michigan House (with immediate effect, 12/12/2024); referred to Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding (1/22/2025).

Purpose / Intent

HB 5964 removes the statutory “sunset” (automatic expiration) language that would repeal Michigan’s enactment of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact on March 28, 2025. Removing the sunset makes Michigan’s participation in the Compact ongoing rather than time-limited.

Background

  • Michigan originally enacted the Compact in 2018; it took effect March 28, 2019, with Compact operations beginning for Michigan on Sept. 24, 2019.
  • The 2018 enactment contained a 3‑year sunset (effective March 28, 2022); that sunset was previously extended to March 28, 2025 by 2022 PA 38.
  • HB 5964 deletes the expiration provision in MCL 333.16189 so the Compact remains law in Michigan indefinitely.

Key provisions / What the bill changes

  • Amends MCL 333.16189 to remove the clause that caused the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to automatically repeal on March 28, 2025.
  • Otherwise retains Michigan’s Compact enactment language and the Compact’s provisions as previously adopted (definitions, eligibility for expedited licensure, creation of an interstate commission, member-board authority, etc.).

Who is affected

  • Physicians: those seeking streamlined, expedited licensure to practice in multiple Compact member states.
  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and state medical board: continue administering Compact-related processes and cooperation with the Interstate Commission.
  • Patients and health systems: potential impact on access to care through increased physician mobility and telemedicine across member states.

Notable provisions of the Compact (retained)

  • Establishes eligibility criteria for expedited (multi‑state) licensure (education, exam, training, current unrestricted license, no serious disciplinary history or active investigations).
  • Creates an Interstate Commission to govern Compact rules and processes.
  • Affirms that practice of medicine is regulated where the patient is located and preserves state medical boards’ disciplinary jurisdiction.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • House Fiscal Agency estimates a neutral fiscal impact for LARA and no anticipated fiscal impact for other state/local units.
  • Legislative actions: introduced 9/26/2024; passed House with immediate effect 12/12/2024; committee referrals and procedural steps continuing as of Jan. 22, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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