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House approves nurse licensure compact bill to let Michigan nurses practice across member states
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 4246, authorizing Michigan to join the nurse licensure compact so registered nurses and LPNs licensed in Michigan could practice in participating compact states. Sponsors said the change would expand workforce flexibility; opponents raised concerns during the recorded vote.
The Michigan House passed House Bill 4246 on Wednesday to allow Michigan to join the Nurse Licensure Compact used by other states and territories, enabling multistate practice for qualifying registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
Representative Phil Green, sponsor of the bill, described the measure as a response to workforce mobility and telehealth changes. "Michigan does not (allow multistate licensure). Across the country...43 other states and territories allow the nurses license the licenses to travel with them," Green said, arguing the compact would expand access to care during disasters and everyday practice and reduce duplicative licensing fees.
Green cited support from the American Nurses Association—Michigan chapter and several national nursing organizations. He argued the compact would preserve Michigan Board of Nursing authority over practice while enabling nurses to serve across state lines.
The House voted on House Bill 4246; the clerk recorded 57 ayes and 52 nays, a simple majority for passage. Representative Price requested removal of his name as a cosponsor on the floor; Representative Martis also asked to have his name removed.
The House ordered immediate effect following passage. The bill moves implementation tasks to the Michigan Board of Nursing and relevant state agencies to register and notify compact membership as specified in the enacted language.
Sponsor remarks and committee report language emphasized workforce flexibility, telehealth facilitation and disaster response; floor debate included proponents' personal examples and organizational endorsements.
