The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is re-writing the Administrative Rules that govern Michigan Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). A major area of the Rules, R338.1751, the practice of "counseling techniques and the related ability to diagnose and identify the problem", is under threat to be removed. Who or what motivated this move is unclear, but the impact is jarring as the Michigan public-at-large will be left with fewer choices to receive needed services, due to the reduction of mental health providers. The changes would violate the American Counseling Association's Ethical Code, 3.5.a., Proper Diagnosis.

LARA is also moving forward with repealing the rules that identify the requirements for counseling supervision training (R338.1757). Counselors, without the specific training proposed in the revised rules, would violate the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics (F.2.a, Supervisor Preparation). This means counselors who received supervision training in Michigan, may not be eligible for licensure in other states, because their supervision would not be qualified in the state to where the counselor is moving.

Michigan HB 4325, that is moving through the legislative process and supported by the counseling community and its constituents, would protect LPCs' ability to continue to provide these critical services to clients; however, the Administrative Rule re-write, will precede the legislative process of HB 4325, and therefore, the LPCs' practice of counseling will be diminished.

We need, and are requesting the support of local, state, and federal legislators, colleges and universities with counseling programs, and our Michigan community-at-large, to protect the licensure for Michigan LPCs, by signing this petition. A public meeting is set to take place on Friday, October 4, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. at the G. Mennen Williams Building Auditorium, 525 W. Ottawa Street, Lansing, MI 48893. We are requesting that the public attend. On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 10:30 a.m., at the State Capital Building (3rd Floor, Rm. 352), the Michigan House Ways and Means Committee will meet to vote out Michigan HB 4325, and you're encouraged to attend. Please contact Speaker Lee Chatfield's office (Phone:517-373-2629) (Email: LeeChatfield@house.mi.gov) to urge him to take HB 4325 to the floor as soon as it is out of committee. UPDATE: On 10/8/19 the MI House Ways and Means Committee and the MI House, respectively, unanimously passed HB 4325.

The bill is now moving to the MI Senate. Please contact your senators and urge them to pass HB 4325 without amendments without delay.