TEMP. LIMITED LICENSE IN PSYCHOLOGY                                                          S.B. 634:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 634 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Wayne Schmidt

Committee:  Health Policy

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to provide that a temporary limited license in psychology (LLP) would be valid for 24 months and could be renewed in certain circumstances.

Under the Code, in order to be granted an LLP, an individual must have been granted a doctoral degree in psychology, or a closely related field, from a doctoral program that meets certain requirements, and have at least one year of postdoctoral experience in the practice of psychology. An LLP also must be granted to an individual granted a master's degree in psychology, if he or she has education, training, and experience appropriate to the practice of psychology.

In addition, the Michigan Board of Psychology must grant a temporary LLP to a person who meets the requirements to be granted an LLP for the purpose of obtaining the required year of postdoctoral experience.

Under the bill, beginning December 31, 2017, a temporary LLP that was granted to a qualified individual for that purpose would be valid for 24 months and could be renewed for one additional 24-month term. If the Board granted a temporary LLP to an individual before December 31, 2017, the temporary LLP could be renewed for one additional 24-month term. 

The bill also would require the Board to grant a temporary LLP to an individual enrolled in a doctoral program that met the requirements specified in the Code. Beginning December 31, 2017, a temporary LLP that was granted under this provision would be valid for 24 months and could be renewed for three additional 24-month terms. If an individual enrolled in a doctoral program were granted a temporary LLP by the Board before December 31, 2017, his or her temporary LLP could be renewed for three additional 24-month terms.

MCL 333.18223                                                       Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  11-2-17                                                     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.