State Rep. Tisdel leads initiative to help qualified workers fill Michigan jobs

July 28, 2022 - State Rep. Mark Tisdel is continuing his efforts to support workers and small businesses by helping skilled workers from other states obtain licensure in Michigan.

Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, last month introduced House Bill 6285 and co-sponsored House Bill 6284 — legislation to help workers with occupational or medical licenses in other states gain licensure in Michigan.

“Hard-working people who have already proven their qualifications by earning a license in another state shouldn’t be forced to wade through the bureaucratic process all over again to employ their skills in Michigan,” Tisdel said. “Licensing these talented workers without unnecessary barriers will help new Michigan residents fill good jobs, especially at small businesses.”

HB 6284 requires the state to issue an occupational license or registration under Michigan’s Occupational Code to a worker who has held an equivalent credential in another state for at least six months. The applicant’s out-of-state license or registration must be held in good standing, with no revocation for unprofessional conduct, no unresolved disciplinary action, and no pending complaint or investigation. Tisdel’s HB 6285 would grant licensure for medical first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other emergency medical personnel to applicants licensed in another state with standards for licensure at least as stringent as Michigan’s standards.

Tisdel said the reform will help draw new residents to Michigan, which saw its population increase at a lower rate than the country as a whole between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.

“Michigan’s population growth has stagnated, so we need to be focused on attracting new residents to our state,” Tisdel said. “Helping qualified professionals transition easily into our workforce will encourage them to seek new opportunities in Michigan.”

The legislation builds on new laws Tisdel helped pass last year to grant licenses to members of the military, veterans, their spouses, and their children under 26 years old, if the applicant holds an equivalent out-of-state license.

Earlier this month, Tisdel approved the state’s latest bipartisan budget, which included efforts to support Michigan’s workforce and small businesses. For example, the budget funded key job training programs such as the Going PRO Talent Fund and Michigan Reconnect.

HBs 6284 and 6285 are currently before the House Regulatory Reform Committee and Health Policy Committee, respectively, for review.

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About State Representative Mark Tisdel

State Rep. Mark Tisdel, of Rochester Hills, represents Greater Rochester in the Michigan House of Representatives. The 45th House District, which Tisdel represents, includes the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township.

Representative Mark Tisdel is one of 110 Members of The Michigan House of Representatives who are elected by the qualified electors of districts having approximately 77,000 to 91,000 residents.

Representatives are elected in even-numbered years to 2-year terms. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures through the federal decennial census.

July 31, 2022, from the office of 45th District Michigan House Representative Mark A. Tisdel