H.B. 4296 (H-3): COMMITTEE SUMMARY - NUTRITIONIST AND DIETICIAN

House Bill 4296 (Substitute H-3 as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative Beverly Hammerstrom

Senate Committee: Economic Development, International Trade and Regulatory Affairs

Date Completed: 9-22-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to provide for the registration and regulation of nutritionist and dieticians; specify the application and registration fees; and create the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition. The bill is tie-barred to House Bills 5736 and 5737.

"Registered nutritionist and dietician" would mean an individual who integrated and applied scientific principles of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, management, and behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain the health of individuals primarily through the provision of nutrition care services and who was registered under the bill. The bill specifies that a registered nutritionist and dietician would not include an individual who provided weight control services or furnished general information on foods, food products, or dietary supplements in connection with the marketing or distribution of the items for a fee. Beginning on the bill's effective date, an individual would be prohibited from using the title "registered nutritionist and dietitian" or "R.N.D." unless the individual was registered under the bill.

The Department of Consumer and Industry Services would have to issue a registration to an individual who applied on a Department-prescribed form; paid the $20 application processing fee and $25 registration fee per year; possessed a baccalaureate degree from a Department-approved institution of higher education with a major course of study in human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition, dietetics, food systems management, or an equivalent course of study; had at least 900 hours of supervised postcollege or planned continuous preprofessional experience as prescribed in Department rules; and passed a Department-approved examination.

Under the bill, a registration would be renewable upon payment of the prescribed registration renewal fee. Notwithstanding the bill's requirements and beginning with the second renewal period after the bill's effective date, the Board could require a registrant seeking renewal to furnish evidence that during the one year before an application for renewal, the registrant had attended Board-approved continuing education courses or programs totaling at least 12 clock-hours in subjects related to nutrition and dietetics designed to further educate registrants.

The bill also would create the Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition in the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. It would consist of two public members and five registered dietitians and nutritionists who met the bill's requirements. The terms of office would expire on June 30, four years after appointment.

The bill would not require new or additional third party reimbursement for services rendered by an individual registered under the bill.

(House Bill 5736 (Substitute 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 (Substitute 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

The bill would have a fiscal impact on State government. The application and registration fees that would be authorized by this legislation would increase revenues to the Department of Consumer and Industry Services, but would be offset by the cost associated with implementing and administering a new program. It is difficult to determine what the exact amount of revenue would be without knowing the number of individuals who would be affected by this legislation.

- Fiscal Analyst: M. TyszkiewiczS9798\S4296SA

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.