Witnesses tell committee SB501 would join Michigan to the physical therapy licensure compact; supporters say it will ease workforce shortages

Senate Bill 501, introduced by Senator Santana and described by staff and stakeholders as the companion to House Bill 4101, would allow Michigan to join the physical therapy licensure compact.

Erin Dickinson, Senator Santana's chief of staff, told the committee the bills provide the operational framework to integrate the compact into state law; she noted versions of these bills have been introduced in prior terms and asked the committee to rely on prior testimony. Dickinson said the bills update public‑health code definitions, set a compact privilege fee, and establish an effective date.

Dr. Abby Scalarud, legislative director for the Michigan chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, testified the bill is technical in nature and supports it as a workforce measure. "Our bill is simple," she said. "We updated some of the public health code definitions, set compact privilege fees at $90 a year and then decided on the effective date, which is going to be 18 months after enactment." Dr. Scalarud added that membership in the compact (Michigan becoming the 41st state, as testimony framed it) would make the state more attractive to out‑of‑state talent and help address shortages in rural and urban areas alike.

The chair asked for committee questions and, seeing none, thanked the witnesses. The committee also entered two written statements of support into the record from Taylor Elpert of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and Christine Shearer of MAHP; both were listed as not wishing to speak.

Next procedural steps recorded in the transcript: committee members indicated they were ready to move on to subsequent agenda items and testimony.