NUTRITIONIST/DIETITIAN LICENSURE S.B. 403: FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 403 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Laura M. Toy
Committee: Health Policy
CONTENT
The bill would add Part 183a to the Public Health Code to provide for the licensure of nutritionists and dietitians. The bill would do all of the following:
-- Prohibit a person from engaging in the practice of dietetics and nutrition or providing dietetics and nutrition care services without a license.
-- Require the Department of Community Health (DCH) to issue a dietitian and nutritionist license to an applicant who met the criteria for licensure contained in rules promulgated under Part 183a, and paid the required fees.
-- Allow the DCH to issue a temporary license to a person who did not meet all of the bill's requirements, under certain circumstances.
-- Establish a $20 application processing fee, a $75 annual license fee, and a $75 annual temporary license fee.
-- Require the DCH to promulgate rules establishing qualifications for licensure, a complaint process, and penalties.
-- Prohibit a person from calling himself or herself a dietitian and nutritionist, or using certain other titles, without being licensed.
-- Create the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition within the DCH.
The bill would take effect on July 1, 2006.
MCL 333.16131 et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
This bill would have little to no fiscal impact upon State and local government. If the bill were enacted, the Department would have to devote administrative resources and staff for the implementation of licensure and practice standards for registered dieticians, confirmation of applicant qualifications, and investigation of complaints made against licensed dieticians in Michigan. The Department has previously estimated that it would have to devote two FTEs to these tasks at a cost to the State of about $150,000. This cost is expected to be offset by application processing and licensure fees established in the bill that would be imposed upon individuals seeking licensure.
Date Completed: 2-16-06 Fiscal Analyst: David Fosdick
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. sb403/0506