PROHIBIT INVESTIGATIONS OF HEALTH PROFESSONALS BASED ON REALITY PROGRAM

House Bill 5176

Sponsor:  Rep. Kevin Cotter

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 5-12-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5176 AS INTRODUCED 12-4-13

The Public Health Code requires a licensee or registrant who has knowledge that another licensee or registrant has committed a violation to report the conduct and the name of the subject of the report to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and the code allows other persons and governmental agencies to submit allegations that violations have occurred.  House Bill 5176 would amend the Public Health Code to prohibit the Department of Community Health from investigating activities related to the practice of a health profession if a report or allegation was based upon information obtained from viewing the broadcast of a reality program.

The bill would define "reality program" as a genre of program that principally presents actual events and generally features ordinary people and not professional actors.

(Proposed MCL 333.16221a)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.