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HB 4307

Health occupations: physicians; voluntary reporting to secretary of state patients with certain conditions that affect ability to operate a motor vehicle; modify. Amends sec. 5139 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.5139). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4306'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nancy DeBoer and 1 co-sponsor

Physicians may voluntarily report a patient’s condition affecting driving to the Secretary of State and may recommend shorter license suspensions, including for epileptic seizures,

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
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Bill Summary · HB 4307

Summary — HB 4307 (Public Health Code: voluntary reporting of patient conditions affecting driving)

Bill number: HB 4307
Title: Health occupations: physicians; voluntary reporting to secretary of state patients with certain conditions that affect ability to operate a motor vehicle; modify (amends MCL 333.5139)
Sponsors: Reps. Nancy DeBoer and Curtis VanderWall (tied to HB 4306)
Introduced: March 27, 2025
Status (selected): Passed House Oct. 30, 2025 (Yeas 102, Nays 2); referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Nov. 5, 2025. Enactment conditioned on passage of HB 4306.

Purpose / Intent

HB 4307 modifies the Public Health Code to clarify and expand what physicians and optometrists may voluntarily report to the Secretary of State about a patient’s mental or physical fitness to operate a motor vehicle — specifically permitting reports that recommend shorter or alternative driver’s license suspension periods for patients who experienced an epileptic seizure (as provided by companion HB 4306).

Key provisions

  • Restates that physicians and optometrists have no affirmative duty to report but may voluntarily:
    • Report to the Secretary of State or warn third parties about patient conditions that could jeopardize safety while driving.
    • Recommend a period of license suspension in that report.
  • Standard recommendations retained:
    • For operator (regular) licenses: recommend suspension of at least 6 months (or longer).
    • For commercial licenses: recommend suspension of at least 12 months (or longer).
  • New/modified authority for seizure cases:
    • If a patient has experienced an epileptic seizure, a physician may submit a report recommending the shorter suspension options described in proposed MCL 257.309a (HB 4306) — e.g., a three‑month suspension in certain circumstances or other reductions/waivers supported by treating-physician documentation and clinical evidence.
  • Immunity:
    • A physician/optometrist who chooses not to report is immune from civil/criminal liability for that choice.
    • A reporting physician/optometrist who acts in good faith, exercises due care, and documents the episode is immune from civil/criminal liability arising from the report.
  • Definitions: “Episode” is defined broadly to include seizures, blackouts, syncope, vision impairment episodes, or impairments of driving judgment.

Interaction with HB 4306

HB 4307 is conditional on HB 4306. HB 4306 amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to set statutory suspension periods after an epileptic seizure (generally at least six months; allows a three‑month suspension if a treating physician certifies control and symptoms abated within 30 days; authorizes Secretary of State reductions/waivers for specified low‑risk circumstances such as medication-related seizures, focal aware seizures, nocturnal patterns, reversible acute illness, etc.). Neither bill takes effect unless both are enacted.

Who is affected

  • Physicians and optometrists (reporting options and liability protections).
  • Patients who experience seizures or other “episodes” (potentially shorter recommended suspension periods if clinical evidence supports low recurrence risk).
  • Secretary of State (administrative review of medical reports).
  • Commercial drivers: existing 12‑month minimum suspension remains applicable (no new seizure exception for commercial licenses).

Fiscal impact

House Fiscal Agency: no significant fiscal impact on the Department of State; minor administrative costs likely absorbable. Reinstatement fee ($125) is waived for suspensions due to physical/mental infirmity; no additional revenue expected.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced March 27, 2025. Reported without amendment by Health Policy Committee June 25, 2025. Passed the House Oct. 30, 2025 with immediate effect; referred to Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Nov. 5, 2025. Remains tied to HB 4306 for enactment.

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

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