H.B. 5355 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY - AUDIOLOGIST REGISTRATION

House Bill 5355 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative Michael Griffin

Senate Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs

Date Completed: 11-30-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to provide for the registration of audiologists; establish a $20 application fee and a $50 annual registration fee; and create the Michigan Board of Audiology. The bill is tie-barred to House Bills 5736 and 5737.

"Registered audiologist" would mean an individual who evaluated and treated hearing, balance, and related disorders; who did not dispense hearing aids without a valid hearing aid dealers license issued under the Occupational Code; and who was registered under the bill. An individual would be prohibited from using the title "audiologist" or "registered audiologist" or similar words indicating that he or she was a registered audiologist unless the individual was registered under the bill.

The bill would create the Michigan Board of Audiology in the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. It would consist of two public members and three audiologists. The terms of office would expire on June 30, four years after appointment.

The Board would have to promulgate rules setting forth the minimum requirements for registration as an audiologist. The rules would have to require an individual to meet at least all of the following requirements in order to be registered: possess, at a minimum, a master's degree in audiology from a regionally accredited college or university approved by the Board; have obtained a passing score on the National Examination in Audiology or an examination determined to be equivalent by the Board; and have completed supervised clinical experience in audiology. The experience would have to be obtained through a training institution or an integrated cooperative program approved by the Board and under the supervision of an audiologist. For two years after the bill's effective date, the supervision could be provided by an individual who possessed a master's degree in audiology and was approved by the Board.

(House Bill 5736 (H-2) would amend the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act to specify that a health care corporation would not be required to reimburse for services performed by a member of a health care profession that was not licensed or registered on or before January 1, 1998, but became a licensed or registered health care profession after January 1, 1998. House Bill 5737 (H-2) would amend the Worker's Disability Compensation Act to specify that an employer would not be required to reimburse or cause to be reimbursed charges for services performed by a profession licensed, registered, or otherwise recognized by this State after January 1, 1998.)

MCL 333.16131 et al. - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata

FISCAL IMPACT

This bill would allow the Department of Consumer and Industry Services to assess a $20 application fee and a $50 registration fee for audiologists. The additional revenue generated from these fees would be used to offset the cost of administering this new registration program within the Department.

- Fiscal Analyst: M. TyszkiewiczS9798\S5355SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.