Michigan House Bill HB4307

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/25
• Refer: 3/27/25
• Report Pass: 6/25/25
• Engrossed: 10/30/25
• Refer: 11/5/25

Caption

House Bill 4307 of 2025

Summary

HB 4307 amends Michigan’s Public Health Code to revise the rules governing when physicians and optometrists may report a patient’s medical condition to the Secretary of State or warn third parties about a patient’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The bill keeps the reporting framework voluntary, but clarifies that a doctor or optometrist may submit a report to trigger a driver fitness examination under the Michigan Vehicle Code when a patient has experienced an “episode” affecting consciousness, judgment, or vision. The bill also specifies recommended suspension periods tied to the type of license involved: at least six months for an operator’s license and at least 12 months for a commercial license, with a special reference to epileptic seizures and existing seizure-related provisions in the Vehicle Code. It preserves immunity from civil or criminal liability for providers who choose not to report, and also grants immunity when a provider reports in good faith and with due care, as documented in the medical record.

Impact

HB 4307 would amend MCL 333.5139 in the Public Health Code and indirectly affect the driver licensing and medical review process under sections 309 and 309a of the Michigan Vehicle Code. It expands and clarifies the circumstances under which physicians and optometrists may report medically unsafe drivers, while preserving liability protections for both non-reporting and good-faith reporting. The bill would primarily affect physicians, optometrists, patients with conditions affecting consciousness, judgment, or vision, and the Secretary of State’s medical fitness review process.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad legislative support based on its committee and floor votes, passing committee 11-0 and the House 102-2. The available record suggests the measure was treated as a technical or public-safety-oriented update rather than a controversial policy shift. The tie-bar to HB 4306 indicates it is part of a related package, which may have contributed to the strong support.

Contention

The main policy issue is the balance between public safety and patient/provider autonomy: the bill allows, but does not require, physicians and optometrists to report potentially unsafe drivers. Another point of sensitivity is the liability framework, which protects providers who do not report and those who report in good faith, potentially raising concerns about whether the law encourages or discourages reporting. The specific suspension recommendations for operator and commercial licenses, and the seizure-related exception, are also notable because they tie medical judgment to licensing consequences.