SPECIAL VOLUNTEER LICENSE                                                               H.B. 4156 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 4156 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Phil Potvin

House Committee:  Health Policy

Senate Committee:  Health Policy

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to expand the individuals allowed to obtain a special volunteer license for the care and treatment of indigent and needy individuals or individuals in medically underserved areas.  Currently, an individual who is retired from the active practice of medicine, optometry, or dentistry, and who wishes to donate his or her expertise for the care and treatment of indigent and needy individuals or individuals in medically underserved areas of the State, may obtain a special volunteer license to practice.  The bill would extend this to anyone who was retired from the active practice of a health profession for which an individual must be licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized under Article 15 (Occupations) to practice in Michigan.

(In addition to the health professions listed above, Article 15 contains licensure, registration, or other authorization requirements regarding the practice of chiropractic, acupuncture, audiology, marriage and family therapy, nursing, speech-language pathology, pharmacy practice, physical therapy, athletic training, massage therapy, counseling, psychology, occupational therapy, dietetics and nutrition, social work, and respiratory care.)

A physician, optometrist, or dentist who provides care under a special volunteer license is not civilly liable for personal injury or death proximately caused by his or her professional negligence or malpractice, if 1) the care is provided at a health facility or agency that provides at least 75% of its care annually to medically indigent individuals; 2) the individual does not receive and does not intend to receive compensation for providing the care; and 3) the negligent conduct or malpractice was not gross negligence.  The bill would extend these provisions to any health professional who provided care under a special volunteer license.

MCL 333.16184 & 333.16185                                           Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a minor negative fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.  Individuals retired from any health profession who wished to obtain a special volunteer license would have to pay no fee to do so, so any costs related to the issuance of those licenses would be borne be existing resources.  It is not expected that a large number of these licenses would be issued, so the impact would likely be minimal.

Date Completed:  10-30-13                                                  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.