2025 Senate Bill 501 / 2026 Public Act 40

Health occupations: physical therapists; licensing process; modify to incorporate physical therapy licensing compact.

An act to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “An act to protect and promote the public health; to codify, revise, consolidate, classify, and add to the laws relating to public health; to provide for the prevention and control of diseases and disabilities; to provide for the classification, administration, regulation, financing, and maintenance of personal, environmental, and other health services and activities; to create or continue, and prescribe the powers and duties of, departments, boards, commissions, councils, committees, task forces, and other agencies; to prescribe the powers and duties of governmental entities and officials; to regulate occupations, facilities, and agencies affecting the public health; to regulate health maintenance organizations and certain third party administrators and insurers; to provide for the imposition of a regulatory fee; to provide for the levy of taxes against certain health facilities or agencies; to promote the efficient and economical delivery of health care services, to provide for the appropriate utilization of health care facilities and services, and to provide for the closure of hospitals or consolidation of hospitals or services; to provide for the collection and use of data and information; to provide for the transfer of property; to provide certain immunity from liability; to regulate and prohibit the sale and offering for sale of drug paraphernalia under certain circumstances; to provide for the implementation of federal law; to provide for penalties and remedies; to provide for sanctions for violations of this act and local ordinances; to provide for an appropriation and supplements; to repeal certain acts and parts of acts; to repeal certain parts of this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on specific dates,” by amending sections 16335, 17801, and 17821 (MCL 333.16335, 333.17801, and 333.17821), as amended by 2009 PA 55, and by adding sections 17820a and 17820b.

AI Analysis – Experimental

SB-501 enables Michigan to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing out-of-state physical therapists and assistants to practice in Michigan with a compact privilege, standardizing fees and regulatory obligations, and improving access to care - Contingent upon passage of HB-4101.

Introduced in the Senate

Aug. 13, 2025

Introduced by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-2)

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

Sept. 3, 2025

Reported without amendment

Sept. 4, 2025

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Reported without amendment

Sept. 9, 2025

Substitute S-1 offered by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-2)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 32 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 9, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

Jan. 21, 2026

Reported without amendment

July 3, 2026

Passed in the House 106 to 2 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-90)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

July 3, 2026

Motion to give immediate effect by Sen. Sam Singh (D-28)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

July 22, 2026