Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Signs Bill That Keeps Mental Health Counselors in Business
The bill’s passage ends a contentious debate between mental health practitioners and regulatory authorities.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4325 into law yesterday, which would amend the Public Health Code and preserve licensed professional counselors’ ability to diagnose and practice psychotherapy.
The signing of the bill ends the debate between counselors and Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) over proposed regulations that would have overhauled education and licensure requirements for LPCs. The proposal ignited fierce opposition from lawmakers and mental health advocates, who argued that the proposal would put thousands of counselors out of work and severely limit access to mental health care services across the state.
The bill moved swiftly through the legislature earlier this month, with unanimous votes of support from both the state House and state Senate.
“I was proud to sign House Bill 4325, which updates the scope of practice for counselors in the Public Health Code. This law ensures that Licensed Professional Counselors can still diagnose and treat patients so that 150,000 Michiganders can access critical mental health care,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement.
