LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Wednesday passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Roger Hauck to restore Michigan’s participation in an interstate medical compact to help streamline physician licensure.
“This very same effort has already been approved with vast bipartisan support by previous legislatures and has improved access to care by eliminating burdensome regulations and licensing requirements that discourage people from coming to Michigan to practice medicine,” said Hauck R-Mount Pleasant. “Participation in the compact has been a tremendous tool in recruiting physicians to our state, especially as we continue working to increase access to medical care in Michigan’s rural, underserved areas.”
The Legislature previously approved legislation entering Michigan into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) and has subsequently voted to maintain participation in the agreement. The original legislation included a sunset provision requiring periodical votes to continue Michigan’s involvement. Without any recent vote to extend the sunset, the state began a year-long withdrawal process. Michigan remains in the compact until March 28, 2026.
Hauck’s Senate Bill 303 would ensure Michigan remains a member of the IMLC and also removes the requirement to pass future measures to keep Michigan in the agreement.
If SB 303 is signed into law, Michigan would remain a permanent member of the IMLC and join more than half of the states in the U.S. in the interstate compact.
“We needed to act relatively quickly to get this done, and I’m glad the bill received wide support in the Senate as it makes its way to the governor’s desk,” Hauck said.
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