Legislators introduced a bill that, if passed, would make Michigan the first U.S. state to license hyperbaric chamber facilities. The legislation would require free-standing facilities that use hyperbaric oxygen chambers to be licensed, accredited and inspected.

Michigan state Rep. Sharon MacDonell and state Sen. Stephanie Chang have introduced the legislation as HB 5590 and SB 805. It comes 13 months after the death of five-year-old Thomas Cooper, who was tragically killed in a fire inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber Jan. 31, 2025, at the Oxford Center in Troy.

Oxford Center CEO Tamela Peterson and three employees are criminally charged in Thomas' death and await trial in Oakland County Circuit Court. All four have pleaded not guilty.

The bills would require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to license and inspect free-standing facilities every three years. Facilities would need to display both their license and accreditation where they can be seen by patients. Patients and their families would be able to contact LARA with concerns about a facility.

Michigan currently has no licensing requirements, regulations or oversight of free-standing facilities that provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology reportedly worked with lawmakers as they drafted the legislation.

MacDonell told Detroit Free Press that the aim of the legislation is not to restrict the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but to ensure no one else is injured or dies in Michigan because of failure to adhere to safety standards.