Monthly Briefing November 2025

There is more to report on the aftermath of the Troy, Michigan fatal chamber fire.

For several months legislators in that state have been working on a bill that would add the practice of hyperbaric medicine to its list of licensed healthcare facilities. The National Board has been closely involved throughout this process, offering acknowledged expert guidance, insight, and suggestions during development of the bill’s language. That language has now reached its final form and is about to be introduced to Michigan’s legislature.

The bill, co-sponsored by Representative Shannon MacDowell and Senator Stephanie  Chang, prescribes various and highly specific licensure requirements. Key among them is that programs are required to undergo hyperbaric facility accreditation. The National Board is encouraged that its accreditation program is explicitly recognized as a qualifying standard for hyperbaric facilities to meet this requirement.   

There are also strict definition provisions for the hyperbaric medical director and hyperbaric safety director/coordinator, mandated presence of the hyperbaric safety director/coordinator, and facility owner/operator/governing body responsibilities related to staffing and safety.  

Provisions also exist for granting temporary non-renewable permits for facilities that demonstrate to the satisfaction of the licensing department that additional time is needed to meet licensing requirements, namely up to 13 months.

Should this bill eventually become force of law it’s not difficult to believe that other states may be prompted to consider similar legislation.

The National Board will continue to keep you updated on this issue.

Dick Clarke, President

National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology