PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE LICENSURE S.B. 641 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 641 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Judy K. Emmons
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Part 182 (Psychology) of the Public Health Code to do the following:
-- Define "practice as a psychological associate".
-- Establish a sunset date for December 31, 2020 for provisions related to a limited and temporary licenses to engage in the practice of psychology.
-- Beginning January 1, 2021, require the Michigan Board of Psychology to grant a limited license or full license as a psychological associate to an individual who met certain requirements.
-- Prohibit an individual from engaging in practice as a psychological associate unless he or she were licensed or otherwise authorized by Article 15 (Occupations).
-- Authorize the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), in consultation with the Board, to establishing continuing education requirements.
-- Extend restrictions on a psychologist's disclosure of confidential information to anyone licensed under Part 182.
The bill also would amend Part 161 (General Provisions) of the Code to increase the license fees for occupations licensed under Part 182, as well as to establish license fees for a psychological associate and limited psychological associate license.
MCL 333.16141 et al. Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate but likely positive fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and no fiscal impact on local government units. The bill would increase and establish fees associated with psychology-related licensing. However, this revenue funds the costs associated with the regulation of these professions and would likely be partially offset by the staff time and resources devoted to this activity.
The table below shows the fee increases and new fees contained in the bill.
|
Category |
Current Fee |
Fee Under SB 641 |
|
Application Processing Fee |
$50.00 |
$75.00 |
|
Annual License Fees |
|
|
|
Full doctoral |
$90.00 |
$101.00 |
|
Limited doctoral |
$30.00 |
$37.00 |
|
Masters limited |
$60.00 |
$69.00 |
|
Temporary limited |
$15.00 |
$21.00 |
|
Psychological associate |
- |
$60.00 |
|
Limited psychological associate |
- |
$60.00 |
|
Limited license, per year |
$40.00 |
$42.00 |
|
Temporary license |
$15.00 |
$16.00 |
|
Examination Review Fee |
$20.00 |
$21.00 |
If each active licensee renewed his or her license in their respective category, LARA could receive approximately $63,000 in increased revenue from license renewal because of the fee increases. This figure does not account for fees from temporary licensees or the increased application processing and examination review fees, due to incomplete data.
It is unknown how many individuals will apply for the psychological associate and limited psychological associate licenses. As a result, it is unclear how much additional revenue the Department could draw from the creation of these new license categories.
The bill also would require the Department to promulgate rules and standards for certain licenses in consultation with the Michigan Board of Psychology. These and other Board activities outlined in the bill could result in increased administrative costs but existing appropriations likely would be sufficient to cover those costs.
Date Completed: 11-28-18 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Raczkowski
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.