The Legislature is on spring break with no sessions scheduled until April 10. Rather than votes this report contains some interesting or noteworthy bill introductions.

Senate Bill 663: Mandate emotional support animal certification
Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R), to expand a law that authorizes criminal penalties for falsely claiming to have a disability that makes a person eligible to have a certified service animal, so that it also applies to a bona fide “emotional support animal." The bill would establish procedures and requirements for getting an emotional support animal certification, which among other things would require a health care professional who has been treating the individual for at least six months to attest to the validity of the need. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5281: Impose licensure on assistance-animal trainers
Introduced by Rep. Peter Lucido (R), to impose a new comprehensive regulatory and licensure regime on individuals who provide “basic obedience training and instruction for assistance animals” (including both service animals like seeing-eye dogs and "emotional support animals"). Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 641: Impose licensure on "psychological associates"
Introduced by Sen. Judy Emmons (R), to impose licensure and regulation on "psychological associates," with license fees, continuing education mandates, a mandate to have accumulated 4,000 hours of experience within a two-to-four year period prior to being eligible for a license, and other requirements imposed by a board of existing practitioners. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 651: Mandate continuing education for mortuary professionals
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R), to impose a continuing education mandate on licensed funeral home operators, and establish a different combination of education and apprenticeship requirements to get this license. Reported from committee, pending in the full Senate.

Senate Bill 683: Impose full licensure on acupuncturists
Introduced by Sen. Margaret O'Brien (R), to convert a registration mandate now imposed on acupuncturists into a more comprehensive licensure regime, including training and apprenticeship requirements, license fees, statutory and administrative regulations and more. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

Senate Bill 751: Revise details of government's permission to give shampoos
Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R), to relax a few of the extensive and detailed licensure restrictions imposed on cosmetology students before they can give a shampoo and blow-dry (but not other services), subject to specified limits and conditions. Reported from committee, pending in the full Senate.

Senate Bill 826: Impose licensure on naturopathic physicians
Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R), to impose licensure and regulation on “naturopathic physicians,” with license fees, education requirements and more. The bill defines naturopathic medicine as “a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals.” Reported from committee, pending in the full Senate.

Senate Bill 916: Impose licensure mandate on “automatic recycling kiosks”
Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R), to require second-hand goods and junk dealers that use an “automatic recycling kiosk” to obtain a license from each local government where one is located. “Automatic recycling kiosk” is defined as one that verifies identity by “remote examination of a seller's government-issued identification card by a live representative during all hours of operation,” and that takes a picture of the seller and goods. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5224: Revise barber licensure detail
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Yaroch (R), to revise a state licensure mandate imposed on barbers that mandates 1,800 hours of barber college instruction before an individual can earn a living at this trade. The bill would permit up to 1,000 hours of training for a cosmetologya license to be substituted. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

House Bill 5031: Impose licensure on assisted living facilities for seniors
Introduced by Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D), to impose licensure on assisted living facilities for seniors, similar to licensure regimes imposed on hospitals, nursing homes and others. Referred to committee, no further action at this time.

SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit www.MichiganVotes.org.

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