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SB 1057

Occupations: individual licensing and registration; preliminary determination process for certain applicants seeking licensure or registration; modify. Amends secs. 202, 203 & 217 of 2016 PA 407 (MCL 339.5202 et seq.).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 7 co-sponsors

SB 1057 creates a process for a preliminary determination on whether past judgments would likely cause licensure denial for lack of good moral character, and requires annual report

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS
#occupations:individuallicensingandregistration #stateagencies(existing):licensingandregulatoryaffairs
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Bill Summary · SB 1057

Overview

SB 1057 proposes amendments to the Michigan Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407), specifically targeting sections 202, 203, and 217. The core aim is to create a formal process for individuals to obtain a preliminary determination from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) about whether past court judgments (often related to good moral character) would likely lead to a license or registration denial. The bill also addresses licensing issuance considerations, limitations on licenses, and annual reporting requirements.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a preliminary determination process to help applicants gauge ahead of time whether past criminal judgments or lack of good moral character would likely result in denial of a license or registration.
  • Provide a mechanism to balance fair consideration of an applicant’s criminal history with the licensure process, potentially allowing applicants to pursue licensure with better information and planning.
  • Enhance transparency and accountability in licensing decisions through annual reporting on denials and character-based issues.

Key Provisions and Changes

Section 202 — Preliminary Determination Procedure

  • The department must establish a procedure for an individual to obtain a preliminary determination on whether his/her court judgments would likely cause a license/registration denial for lack of good moral character.
  • Eligibility and request requirements:
    • Applicants must file on a department-provided form.
    • Must identify the specific license/registration sought.
    • Must describe any criminal proceedings resulting in judgments against the individual.
    • Must include the required nonrefundable fee.
  • The department can consider only the information provided in the request (though applicants may supplement with additional information, including matters described in specific statutory references).
  • A preliminary determination that is adverse does not prevent later licensure attempts; and an adverse determination cannot bind a future full application.
  • If an applicant is later convicted of a felony or has an undisclosed conviction after a preliminary determination, the preliminary determination does not bind the full licensing decision.
  • Preliminary determinations do not limit the department’s ongoing review or denial/issuance authority.
  • Notification: the department must issue a preliminary determination letter within 60 days of receiving the request.
  • Limitation on requests: no more than one preliminary determination may be requested within any 120-day period.
  • No requirement to complete education/training before requesting a preliminary determination.

Section 203 — Licensure Decision Process

  • The department may issue a license if it determines, with the board, that licensure requirements do not adequately measure knowledge/skills or that exams do not adequately determine professional competence.
  • Fees: licensure requires payment of applicable fees as established by department rule.
  • Criminal history and good moral character: licensure shall not be denied solely on criminal history without first determining good moral character.
  • Limitations on licenses: if a limitation is to be imposed, the department must notify the appropriate board; the board must approve the limitation within 60 days, otherwise the department may impose it. Licensees with limitations may seek a review under section 533.

Section 217 — Annual Reporting

  • The department must prepare and publish an annual report detailing department and board activities.
  • The report must be submitted to the governor and the legislature and include:
    • The number of applications denied by the department.
    • The number of denials based on lack of good moral character, with a category-by-category breakdown of offenses and convictions.

Who Is Affected

  • Individuals seeking licensure or registration under Michigan’s skilled trades regulatory framework.
  • Applicants with prior criminal judgments or histories that could affect good moral character determinations.
  • State licensing boards and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which would administer the preliminary determination process, licensing decisions, and reporting.
  • The general public, which may benefit from more structured processes and transparency in licensure decisions.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Preliminary determinations must be issued within 60 days of a completed request.
  • Applicants are limited to one preliminary determination request in any 120-day period.
  • If a board does not act within 60 days on a proposed license limitation, the department may proceed to impose the limitation.
  • Annual reporting requirement to Governor and Legislature, detailing licensing actions and moral-character-based denials for the preceding fiscal year.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Could provide applicants with clearer, earlier insight into licensing viability, potentially reducing wasted time and resources.
  • May influence how boards and the department weigh criminal history and good moral character in licensure decisions.
  • The process emphasizes transparency through annual reporting on license denials and moral character determinations.
  • The risk of how preliminary determinations interact with full license applications if and when new or undisclosed information arises remains a point of consideration.

Sponsor and action notes:
- Introduced and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs on 2026-06-23.
- Co-sponsors include a bipartisan slate of lawmakers.

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

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