REPEAL OCULARIST REGULATION S.B. 606 & 607:
FLOOR SUMMARY
Senate Bills 606 and 607 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Roger Kahn, M.D.
CONTENT
Senate Bill 606 would repeal Article 27 of the Occupational Code, which establishes registration requirements for ocularists, and requires the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to issue an apprentice registration to a person who applies for registration and furnishes verification from an ocularist stating the applicant is receiving training under his or her direct supervision.
Article 27 defines "ocularist" as an individual registered as an ocularist. "Practice of ocularism" means: the design and fabrication of ocular prosthetic appliances; the fitting of ocular prosthetic appliances; and/or the performance of necessary procedures to provide an ocular prosthetic service for the patient in the ocularist's office or laboratory.
The bill would delete a reference to ocularists and their apprentices in exceptions to a requirement that LARA issue a license or registration within certain time frames.
Senate Bill 607 would repeal Section 62 of the State License Fee Act, which sets the following fees for a ocularist or an apprentice ocularist: a registration application processing fee of $35 until September 30, 2015, or $15 after that date; an annual ocularist registration fee of $40 until September 30, 2015, or $20 after that date; and an annual apprentice registration fee of $20 until September 30, 2015, or $10 after that date.
MCL 339.411 et al. (S.B. 606) Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
338.2262 (S.B. 607)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have a likely neutral fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and no fiscal impact on local units of government. The bills would remove requirements for ocularists to register and pay registration fees. According to the Department, there are currently 14 individuals registered as ocularists, each of whom pays a $40 fee annually to maintain registration. Under the bills, the Department would lose this revenue, but also would no longer incur costs associated with registering ocularists. It is expected that this would have a neutral fiscal impact on the Department.
Date Completed: 10-21-13 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
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.