HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
REP. FELICIA BRABEC
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, November 9, 2023
9:00 AM
Room 519, House Office Building
The House Health Policy Subcommittee on Behavioral Health was called to order by Chair
Brabec.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Brabec, Pohutsky, Glanville, Edwards, MacDonell, Rheingans, Schmaltz,
Hoadley, Thompson.
Absent: Reps. Arbit, St. Germaine.
Excused: Reps. Arbit, St. Germaine.
Representative Pohutsky moved to adopt the meeting minutes from October 26, 2023. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5184 and HB 5185 before the committee:
HB 5184
(Rep. Brabec)
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public
health code," by amending sections 18503, 18504,
18506, 18506a, 18509, and 18518 (MCL
333.18503, 333.18504, 333.18506, 333.18506a,
333.18509, and 333.18518), sections 18503 and
18509 as amended by and sections 18504, 18506,
18506a, and 18518 as added by 2004 PA 61, and
by adding section 18515a.
HB 5185
(Rep. Edwards)
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public
health code," by amending sections 16177, 16348,
18101, and 18501 (MCL 333.16177, 333.16348,
333.18101, and 333.18501), section 16177 as
amended by 2006 PA 481, sections 16348 and
18501 as amended by 2004 PA 61, section 18101
as amended by 2019 PA 96.
At 9:10 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 9:11 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
At 9:12 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 9:13 AM, Rep. Pohutsky called the committee back to order.
Chair Brabec and Representative Edwards testified in support of HB 5184 and HB 5185.
Questions and discussion followed.
Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro, representing the National Association of Social Workers
Michigan, testified in support of HB 5184 and HB 5185. Questions and discussion followed.
At 9:39 AM, Rep. Pohutsky laid the committee at ease.
At 9:40 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
Stacey Hardy-Chandler, representing the Association of Social Workers Boards, testified in
opposition to HB 5184 and HB 5185. Questions and discussion followed.
Sheryl Kubiak, Dean of the Wayne State University School of Social Work, testified in
support of HB 5184 and HB 5185.
Robert Sheehan, representing the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan,
testified in support of HB 5184 and HB 5185.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5184 and HB 5185, but due to the
time constraints were unable to speak:
Bryan Victor, representing Wayne State University.
Beth Angell, representing the University of Michigan School of Social Work.
Carmen Rodriguez, representing herself.
Dr. Chandra Carr, representing Wayne State University.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 5184 and HB 5185, but due to the
time constraints were unable to speak:
Grace Gates, representing herself.
Brian Philson, representing himself as a Licensed Social Worker.
Chaundra Randle, representing the Association of Social Workers Boards.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5184 and HB 5185, but did not wish
to speak:
Daniel Cherrin, representing the Michigan Care Council.
Daniel Cherrin, representing the Michigan Behavioral Health & Wellness Collaborative.
Daniel Cherrin, representing the Michigan Association of Substance Addiction Providers.
Michael A. West, representing the National Association of Social Workers.
The following people submitted a card in opposition to HB 5184 and HB 5185, but did not
wish to speak:
Gabe Basso, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Dr. Suzanne L. Velazques, LMSW-C, LCSW, CFSW, representing herself.
Rhonda Gates, representing herself.
Jacob Gates, MD, representing himself.
Sarah Dubicki, representing herself.
Sherri Dubicki, representing herself.
Marcia Hune, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Representative Schmaltz moved to excuse Representatives Arbit and St. Germaine from the
meeting. There being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the subcommittee, Chair Brabec adjourned the
meeting at 9:55 AM.
Representative Felicia Brabec, Chair
Melissa Sweet
Committee Clerk
msweet@house.mi.gov