SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES: 

UNIFORM CREDENTIALING PROGRAM

House Bill 5332

Sponsor:  Rep. Matt Lori

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 2-28-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5332 AS INTRODUCED 2-18-14

One of the recommendations of the State of Michigan Mental Health and Wellness Commission's 2013 report was to require all state departments to use the same substance use disorder provider credentialing standards in forms, processes, and contracts, while meeting the needs of the populations served by each department.   This was seen as a means to improve coordination of care for the delivery of substance use disorder services

House Bill 5332 would add a new section to the Mental Health Code to place the Commission's recommendation in statute.  Under the bill, a state department or agency providing substance use disorder services to state residents, either directly or through a contract, would be required to comply with the uniform credentialing program.  Beginning on the date the program is certified by the director of the Department of Community Health and thereafter, each state department or agency subject to the bill would have to ensure that all of its forms, processes, and contracts it uses and that relate to its provision of substance use disorder services comply with the uniform credentialing program.

The bill would define "uniform credentialing program" or "program" to mean the uniform substance use disorder credentialing program established, maintained, and revised as required under the bill's provisions.

"Substance use disorder services" means substance use disorder prevention services or treatment and rehabilitation services.

Under the bill, the Department of Community Health would have to do all of the following:

v                 Establish, maintain, and revise, as necessary, a uniform substance use disorder credentialing program for state department or agency use.  In complying with the bill, DCH could consult with the other state departments and agencies required to comply with the program.

v                 Ensure that the program includes the various elements detailed in the bill, such as meeting the needs of the populations served by each department or agency and compliance with national certification standards for substance use disorder counselors and prevention professionals and the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals.

v                 Submit an annual report to the Legislature describing the department's activities relating to the program, including the establishment of and any revision to the program.  The first report would have to be submitted by six months after the effective date of the bill.

MCL 330.1274a, proposed

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5332, as introduced, will result in an increase in administrative costs for the Department of Community Health as this department would be required to establish, maintain, and revise when necessary a uniform Substance Use Disorder Credentialing Program for state departments and agencies that provide substance use disorder services.  The cost increase will be offset to the extent that Michigan already has credentialing and staff qualification requirements for coordinating agencies on substance abuse provider networks.  Also, credentialing requirements have already been developed that specifically relate to substance abuse prevention and treatment. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Margaret Alston

■ 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.