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HB 4885

Occupations: hearing aid; references to hearing aid dealers in public health code; revise. Amends secs. 16807 & 17601 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16807 & 333.17601). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4883'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Borton and 4 co-sponsors

If HB 4883 passes, HB 4885 aligns Public Health Code by removing references to licensed hearing aid dealers, effectively paving the way to repeal Article 13 licensing.

bill electronically reproduced 09/11/2025
#occupations:businesslicensingandregistration #occupations:hearingaid
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Bill Summary · HB 4885

Summary — HB 4885 (Public Health Code amendments concerning hearing aid dealers)

Status: Introduced (filed March 13, 2025); version reproduced Sept 11, 2025. Tie-bar to HB 4883 (would repeal Article 13 of the Occupational Code). Companion: SB 1848.

Purpose / Intent

HB 4885 makes conforming amendments to the Michigan Public Health Code to remove or revise references to licensed hearing aid dealers and salespeople. Its changes are intended to coordinate with a companion bill (HB 4883) that would repeal the statutory licensing regime for hearing aid dealers, salespersons, and trainees (Article 13 of the Occupational Code).

Key provisions

  • Amends section 333.16807 (Part 168 — Audiology)
    • Removes a statutory provision that explicitly listed persons licensed under Article 13 (hearing aid dealers/salespeople) among those who may lawfully perform certain non‑audiologist duties without being considered to practice audiology.
  • Amends section 333.17601 (Part 176 — Speech‑Language Pathology)
    • Revises the definition/limits of the practice of speech‑language pathology by deleting the phrase that tied the exclusion for “fitting and dispensing of hearing aids” specifically to Article 13. After amendment, the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids would be excluded from the practice of speech‑language pathology without reference to Article 13.
  • Effective only if HB 4883 (the bill repealing Article 13 licensing) is enacted (tie‑bar).

Statutory references amended: MCL 333.16807 and 333.17601.

Who would be affected

  • Hearing aid dealers, salespersons, and trainees (Article 13 licensees) — these changes are intended to align with repeal of their state licensure in HB 4883.
  • Audiologists and speech‑language pathologists — the statutory scope/clarifications in the Public Health Code would change how fitting/dispensing of hearing aids is characterized relative to their practice.
  • Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — regulatory/administrative adjustments if licensure is eliminated.
  • Consumers of hearing aid services — regulatory oversight and enforcement framework would shift if Article 13 is repealed.

Fiscal impact

House Fiscal Agency estimated a minimal fiscal effect: elimination of ~580 licensees would reduce annual license fee revenue by roughly $36,000. Administrative costs to LARA would be minimal.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • HB 4885 is tie‑barred to HB 4883 and, per the bill text, does not take effect unless HB 4883 is enacted.
  • Legislative history for the package (HBs 4883–4886) shows floor passage in May 2025 and the package was sent to the Governor; the Governor vetoed the measure on June 22, 2025. The bill text for HB 4885 was reproduced and reintroduced/entered on Sept 11, 2025.

Legal/contextual note

Under current law, practicing a regulated health profession without a required license can be a felony. HB 4885 itself revises Public Health Code language; substantive removal of licensing and related criminal exposure for hearing aid dealers would result from enactment of HB 4883 (the companion repeal bill).

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

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