2013 House Bill 4576 / 2014 Public Act 566

Regulate federal health care law “navigators”

Introduced in the House

April 17, 2013

Introduced by Rep. Hugh Crawford (R-38)

To impose licensure and regulation on the “navigators” authorized by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through the administrative agency this law creates (called the “exchange”). The bill authorizes license fees, background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity licensed as a “navigator” from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

June 11, 2013

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 18, 2013

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Hugh Crawford (R-38)

To adopt a version of the bill that does not mandate a full licensure regime for "navigators," but does impose background check and other requirements.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Dec. 12, 2013

Passed in the House 102 to 7 (details)

To impose regulation and a "certification" requirement on the “navigators” authorized by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through agency this law creates (the “exchange”). The bill authorizes background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity certified as a “navigator” from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.

Received in the Senate

Jan. 8, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

March 18, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 15, 2014

Passed in the Senate 32 to 6 (details)

To impose regulation and a "certification" requirement on the “navigators” authorized by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through agency this law creates (the “exchange”). The bill authorizes background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity licensed as a “navigator” from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.

Received in the House

Dec. 16, 2014

Dec. 17, 2014

Amendment offered by Rep. Hugh Crawford (R-38)

To add language requiring certification of "application counselors," who perform a role similar to "navigators".

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 102 to 7 (details)

To impose regulation and a "certification" requirement on the “navigators” authorized by the federal health care law (“Obamacare”) to assist persons applying for government-subsidized health insurance benefits through agency this law creates (the “exchange”), and on "application counselors, who perform a similar role. The bill authorizes background checks, testing and training requirements, and more. Among other things it would prohibit an individual, firm or other entity certified as a “navigator” or "application counselor" from steering a person toward any particular insurance policy, as opposed to just providing information on the policies.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 17, 2014

Dec. 18, 2014

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 31, 2014