Mental health: code; definition of mental health professional; expand to include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists-certified, and allow them to perform certain examinations. Amends secs. 100a, 100b, 100c, 281b, 400, 420, 423, 425, 426, 427, 429, 430, 434, 435, 438, 452, 461, 463, 498o, 517, 532, 700, 740 & 742 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1100a et seq.).

This bill updates the Michigan Mental Health Code to officially include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists in the legal definition of mental health professionals. By amending multiple sections of the existing law, the legislation allows these advanced practice providers to perform certain examinations and deliver services that were previously restricted to other types of licensed clinicians. The change directly affects mental health service providers, patients, and the regulatory framework governing who can deliver care under the state's mental health system.