https://paulkrauss.podbean.com/e/update-michigan-counselors-jobs-are-saved-hb4325-passes-unianmously-listen-to-the-story/
In this special episode of the Intentional Clinician Podcast, Paul Krauss MA LPC reports on the developments in the state of Michigan which almost led to the job loss of 10,000+ Counselors and almost resulted in 300,000+ patients losing access to mental health care (when the Licensing and Regulatory Authority (LARA) of Michigan overrode the wishes of the entire Michigan Board of Counseling (who was ironically appointed by LARA to be the experts on the field of Counseling) and declared that it was changing a 31 year old rule for 'clarification purposes' among other doublespeak--which would have rendered LPCs unable to practice in the State of Michigan--even though LARA denied that fact...). This caused a rush of advocacy led by the Michigan Mental Health Association and other Counselors to pass a bill to update the rules for LARA, so that the changes would be negated. The bill was HB4325, sponsored by Representative Aaron Miller. The bill had been around for years and was waiting for this moment.
The good news is that the Michigan Legislature listened to the 5000+ counselors that formed a coalition with the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association--with both the House and Senate passing HB4325 unanimously. The bill was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019. HB4325 is now know as Public Act 96 of 2019 and went into effect in January, 2020.
See details here: http://mmhca.org/law-to-keep-michigans-licensed-professional-counselors-on-the-job-took-effect-on-january-27-2020/