RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS - H.B. 4647 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4647 (Substitute S-3 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Stephen Ehardt
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to do the following:
-- Require an individual who wished to be a respiratory therapist to register as a respiratory therapist, and establish requirements for registration.
-- Require an application processing fee of $20, and a registration fee of $75 per year or a temporary registration fee of $75 per year, for an individual registered or seeking registration as a respiratory therapist.
-- Create the seven-member Board of Respiratory Care in the Department of Consumer and Industry Services (DCIS).
The DCIS would have to require all of the following, in establishing criteria for registration:
-- Successful completion of an accredited respiratory therapist training program approved by the DCIS.
-- At least a two-year Associate's degree from an accredited college or university approved by the DCIS.
-- The credential conferred by the National Board for Respiratory Care or its successor organization as a respiratory therapist or its successor credential, as approved by the DCIS.
The DCIS would have to prescribe by rule continuing education requirements as a condition for registration renewal.
In addition, the bill would allow the DCIS to issue a temporary registration as a registered respiratory therapist for up to four years, under certain conditions.
The bill specifies that it would not require new or additional third party reimbursement or mandated workers' compensation benefits for services rendered by an individual registered as a respiratory therapist.
MCL 333.16131 et al. - Legislative Analyst: N. Nagata
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create a new category of registration under the Public Health Code for respiratory therapists and the creation of a Board. According to the Department, there are approximately 3,700 of these therapists currently working throughout the State. The bill proposes a $20 application fee, a $75 annual registration fee, and a $75 temporary registration fee. These fees would generate approximately $74,000 in application revenue and $277,500 in registration revenue, which would be used to cover the costs of administering this program. The bill could require up to two additional FTEs to administer this program.
Date Completed: 12-12-01 - Fiscal Analyst: M. Tyszkiewicz
floor\hb4647 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
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.