LD 2233

APPROVED  CHAPTER
  APRIL 16, 2026  738
  BY GOVERNOR  PUBLIC LAW
  STATE OF MAINE
  _____
  IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
  TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
  _____
  H.P. 1509 - L.D. 2233
   An Act to Combine the Board of Licensure in Medicine and Board of
 Osteopathic Licensure into a Single Licensing Board for All Physicians and
  Physician Associates
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
  PART A
    Sec. A-1. 3 MRSA §959, sub-§1, ¶R, as amended by PL 2021, c. 617, §1, is further
amended to read:
    R. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
    professional licensing of health care professions matters shall use the following list as
    a guideline for scheduling reviews:
        (1) Board of Dental Practice in 2027;
        (2) Board of Osteopathic Licensure in 2027;
        (3) Board of Licensure in Maine Board of Medicine in 2027 2029;
        (4) State Board of Nursing in 2027; and
        (5) State Board of Optometry in 2027.
    Sec. A-2. 5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§24, as amended by PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1,
is repealed.
    Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§24-A is enacted to read:
    24-A.
Maine Board of Medicine  $1,250/Year-Member  32 MRSA §20111
  $1,500/Year-Chair
  $1,500/Year-Vice-Chair
  $7,500/Year-Secretary
    Sec. A-4. 5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§29, as amended by PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1,
is repealed.
    Sec. A-5. 32 MRSA c. 36, as amended, is repealed.
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    Sec. A-6. 32 MRSA c. 48, as amended, is repealed.
    Sec. A-7. 32 MRSA c. 153 is enacted to read:
  CHAPTER 153
  MAINE BOARD OF MEDICINE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT
  SUBCHAPTER 1
  GENERAL PROVISIONS
§20101. Short title
    This chapter may be known and cited as "the Maine Board of Medicine Medical
Practice Act."
§20102. Definitions
   As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms
have the following meanings.
    1. Allopathic physician. "Allopathic physician" means a physician who graduated
from medical school with an M.D. degree.
   2. Board. "Board" means the Maine Board of Medicine established in Title 5, section
12004‑A, subsection 24-A.
    3. Collaborative agreement. "Collaborative agreement" means a document agreed
to by a physician associate and a physician that describes the scope of practice for the
physician associate as determined by practice setting and describes the decision-making
process for a health care team, including communication and consultation among health
care team members.
     4. Consultation. "Consultation" means engagement in a process in which members
of a health care team use their complementary training, skill, knowledge and experience to
provide the best care for a patient.
    5. General business. "General business" means all board actions conducting public
business, with the exception of disciplinary investigations, complaints and adjudicatory
hearings resolving disciplinary matters involving licensees or applicants.
    6. Health care team. "Health care team" means 2 or more health care professionals
working in a coordinated, complementary and agreed-upon manner to provide quality, cost-
effective, evidence-based care to a patient and may include a physician, physician
associate, advanced practice nurse, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech
therapist, social worker, nutritionist, psychotherapist, counselor or other licensed
professional.
    7. License. "License" means a license, certificate, certification, registration, permit,
approval or other similar document issued by the board to qualified individuals granting
authority to engage in the practice of medicine.
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    8. Osteopathic physician. "Osteopathic physician" means a physician who graduated
from medical school with a D.O. degree.
    9. Physician. "Physician" means an allopathic or osteopathic physician or surgeon
licensed by the board.
    10. Physician associate. "Physician associate" means a physician associate licensed
or privileged under chapter 145-A by the board.
    11. Practice of medicine. "Practice of medicine" means diagnosing, relieving in any
degree or curing, or professing or attempting to diagnose, relieve or cure a human disease,
ailment, defect or complaint, whether physical or mental, or of physical or mental origin,
by attendance, surgery or advice or by prescribing or furnishing a drug, medicine,
appliance, manipulation, method or therapeutic agent, including, but not limited to:
    A. Advertising, holding out to the public or representing in any manner that an
    individual is authorized to practice medicine in this State;
    B. Offering or undertaking to prescribe, order, give or administer any drug or medicine
    for use by any other person;
    C. Offering or undertaking to prevent or to diagnose, correct or treat in any manner or
    by any means, methods or devices any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity,
    defect or abnormal physical or mental condition of any person;
    D. Offering or undertaking to perform any surgical operation upon any person;
    E. Rendering a written or otherwise documented medical opinion concerning the
    diagnosis or treatment of a patient or the actual rendering of treatment to a patient
    within a state by a physician located outside the state as a result of transmission of
    individual patient data by electronic or other means from within a state to the physician
    or the physician's agent;
    F. Rendering a determination of medical necessity or a decision affecting the diagnosis
    or treatment of a patient;
    G. Using the designation doctor, doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathic medicine,
    doctor of osteopathy, physician, surgeon, physician and surgeon, Dr., M.D., D.O. or
    any combination of those designations in the conduct of any occupation or profession
    pertaining to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of human disease or condition
    unless such a designation additionally contains the description of another branch of the
    healing arts for which an individual holds a valid license in the jurisdiction where the
    patient is located; and
    H. Maintaining adequate medical records pursuant to the standard of care.
    12. Prescription or legend drug. "Prescription or legend drug" has the same meaning
as "prescription drug" in section 13702‑A, subsection 30 and includes schedule II to
schedule V drugs or other substances regulated under the federal Controlled Substances
Act, 21 United States Code, Section 812.
    13. Render medical services. "Render medical services" means to render health care
services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure or relief of a health condition, injury
or disease, including, but not limited to:
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    A. Advertising, holding out to the public or representing in any manner that an
    individual is authorized to render medical services in this State;
    B. Offering or undertaking to prescribe, order, give or administer any drug or medicine
    for use by any other person;
    C. Offering or undertaking to prevent or to diagnose, correct or treat in any manner or
    by any means, methods or devices any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity,
    defect or abnormal physical or mental condition of any person;
    D. Offering or undertaking to perform any surgical operation upon any person;
    E. Rendering a written or otherwise documented medical opinion concerning the
    diagnosis or treatment of a patient or the actual rendering of treatment to a patient
    within a state by a physician associate located outside the state as a result of
    transmission of individual patient data by electronic or other means from within a state
    to the physician associate or the physician associate's agent;
    F. Rendering a determination of medical necessity or a decision affecting the diagnosis
    or treatment of a patient;
    G. Using the designation physician associate, physician assistant or P.A. or any
    combination of those designations in the conduct of any occupation or profession
    pertaining to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of human disease or condition in
    the jurisdiction where the patient is located; and
    H. Maintaining adequate medical records pursuant to the standard of care.
§20103. Individual license
     Only an individual may be licensed or privileged by the board and only an individual
licensed or privileged by the board may practice medicine or render medical services to
patients in this State, unless exempted in statutory provision or appropriately licensed by
and practicing within the individual's legal scope of practice under the authority of another
state licensing board. This section may not be construed to affect or prevent the practice
of the religious tenets of a church in the ministration to the sick or suffering by mental or
spiritual means.
§20104. License required
    1. Unlicensed practice. The following provisions apply.
    A. A person may not engage in the practice of medicine without a license or during
    any period when that person's license has expired or has been suspended, surrendered
    or revoked.
    B. A person may not render medical services as a physician associate without a license
    or privilege from the board and may not render medical services during any period
    when that person's license or privilege has expired or has been suspended, surrendered
    or revoked.
    2. Penalties. A person who violates this section may be subject to action pursuant to
Title 10, section 8003-C.
  SUBCHAPTER 2
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  MAINE BOARD OF MEDICINE
§20111. Creation; declaration of policy
    The Maine Board of Medicine, as established in Title 5, section 12004‑A, subsection
24-A, is created within this subchapter. The board recognizes the unique philosophical and
educational differences between allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians and
physician associates. This subchapter is not intended to combine these into one profession.
The purpose of this subchapter is to protect the people of this State by efficiently setting
licensing standards for the 3 separate professions with one licensing board.
§20112. Membership
    1. Membership; terms; removal. The board consists of 22 members who are legal
residents of this State and are appointed by the Governor as follows:
    A. Six allopathic physicians, all of whom must hold a valid license under this chapter
    and have been in the clinical practice of medicine in this State for a continuous period
    of 5 years immediately preceding the appointment;
    B. Six osteopathic physicians, all of whom must hold a valid license under this chapter
    and have been in the clinical practice of medicine in this State for a continuous period
    of 5 years immediately preceding the appointment;
    C. Four physician associates, all of whom must hold a valid license under this chapter
    and have been in the clinical practice of rendering medical services in this State for a
    continuous period of 5 years immediately preceding the appointment; and
    D. Six members of the public, all of whom must have no financial interest in the
    medical profession and have never been licensed, certified or given a permit in this
    State or any other state to practice medicine or render medical services.
The Governor may accept nominations from consumer or patient advocacy groups,
professional associations and other organizations and individuals. An individual who has
been disciplined by a medical regulatory body in any jurisdiction or who has been convicted
of a crime that is related to the practice of medicine or the rendering of medical services or
that is punishable by more than one year's imprisonment is not eligible for appointment to
the board. Appointment of members must comply with Title 10, section 8009.
    2. Terms. Terms of the members of the board are for 5 years. An individual who has
served 10 years or more on the board is not eligible for reappointment to the board. A
board member may be removed by the Governor for cause.
    3. Quorum. The following provisions apply.
    A. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
    official general business, rulemaking, policy making, guidelines and legislation.
    B. Five members of the board constitute a quorum for the conduct of adjudicatory
    hearings pursuant to this chapter.
    C. Five members of an investigative committee under section 20141 constitute a
    quorum for all investigative committee meetings.
    4. Meetings. The board shall hold a minimum of 2 regular meetings a year and any
additional special meetings at a time and place the chair may designate.
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     5. Board officers. Beginning on the 2nd Tuesday of July in 2027 and every 2nd
Tuesday in July in odd-numbered years, the members of the board shall meet at the time
and place the board may determine and shall elect a chair, a vice-chair and a secretary, who
hold their respective offices for a term of 2 years. The secretary shall perform such duties
as delegated by the board through rule. The board through its executive director shall
receive all fees, charges and assessments payable to the board and account for and pay over
the same according to law. The board shall hold regular meetings at times and places as it
may determine. The board shall cause a seal to be engraved and shall keep a record of all
its proceedings.
     6. Compensation. Members of the board are compensated according to the provisions
of Title 5, chapter 379, subchapter 1. If the fees to be collected under any of the provisions
of this chapter are insufficient to pay the salaries and expenses provided by this section, the
members of the board are entitled only to a pro rata payment for salary in any years in
which such fees are insufficient.
   7. Oath. Each member of the board shall, before entering upon the duties of the
member's office, take the constitutional oath of office.
§20113. Powers and duties
    The board has the following powers and duties in addition to all other powers and
duties imposed by this chapter.
    1. Powers. The board may:
    A. Establish standards of eligibility for examinations for candidates desiring admission
    to medical practice as physicians or physician associates in this State;
    B. Design or adopt an examination and other suitable criteria for establishing a
    candidate's knowledge in medicine and its related skills;
    C. License and establish standards of practice for physicians and physician associates
    practicing medicine or rendering medical services in this State;
    D. Conduct adjudicatory hearings, administer oaths, compel the testimony of witnesses
    and compel the production of books, records and documents relevant to inquiry
    pursuant to a subpoena and take evidence in all matters relating to the exercise and
    performance of the powers and duties vested in the board;
    E. Issue subpoenas in accordance with Title 10, section 8003-A and Title 5, section
    9060 for the production of documents, records and the testimony of witnesses in the
    course of an investigation or an adjudicatory hearing. This authority applies to any
    stage of an investigation and is not limited to an adjudicatory proceeding. During
    investigation, this power is delegated to investigative committees pursuant to section
    20141 or, outside of regular meetings of the investigative committees, to the executive
    director or, in the executive director's absence, to the assistant executive director;
    F. Engage legal counsel, to be approved by the Attorney General, and investigative
    assistants of the board's own choosing to advise the board generally and specifically
    and to represent the board in hearings before the board and in appeals taken from a
    decision of the board;
    G. Except as provided in paragraph M and subsection 2, paragraph E, employ and
    prescribe the duties of other personnel as the board determines necessary. Except as
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prescribed in paragraph M, the appointment and compensation of that staff is subject
to the Civil Service Law;
H. Mandate, conduct and operate, or contract with other agencies, individuals, firms
or associations for the conduct and operation of, programs of medical education,
including statewide programs of health education for the general public and for the
disbursement of funds accumulated through the receipt of licensure fees for this
purpose, as long as the funds are not disbursed for this purpose for out-of-state travel,
meals or lodging for a physician being educated under this program;
I. Conduct and operate, or contract with other agencies or nonprofit organizations for
the conduct and operation of, a program of financial assistance to medical students
indicating an intent to engage in family practice in rural areas of this State, under which
the students may be provided with interest-free grants or interest-bearing loans in an
amount not to exceed $5,000 per student per year on terms and conditions as the board
may determine;
J. Conduct examinations relevant to licensure;
K. Provide services and carry out functions necessary to fulfill the board's statutory
responsibilities;
L. Set reasonable fees for services such as providing license certifications and
verifications, providing copies of board law and rules and providing copies of
documents. The board may also set reasonable fees to defray its costs in administering
examinations for special purposes that it may from time to time require and for
admitting courtesy candidates from other states to its examinations;
M. Appoint an executive director who serves at the pleasure of the board and who
shall assist the board in carrying out its administrative duties and responsibilities under
this chapter. The salary range for the executive director must be set by the board within
the range established by Title 2, section 6‑C;
N. Direct staff to review and approve applications for licensure or renewal in
accordance with criteria established in law or in rules adopted by the board. Licensing
decisions made by staff may be appealed to the board or one of its investigative
committees pursuant to section 20141;
O. Establish protocols for the operation of a professional review committee as defined
in Title 24, section 2502, subsection 4‑A. The protocols must include the committee
reporting information the board considers appropriate regarding reports received,
contracts or investigations made and the disposition of each report, as long as the
committee is not required to disclose any personally identifiable information. The
protocols may not prohibit an impaired licensee under this chapter from seeking
alternative forms of treatment;
P. At the direction of the board or one of its investigative committees pursuant to
section 20141, order a licensee or applicant for licensure or relicensure to undergo a
mental or physical examination. An individual examined pursuant to the direction of
the board or one of its investigative committees may not prevent the testimony of the
examining individual or prevent the acceptance into evidence of the report of an
examining individual in any proceeding before the committee or board;
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Q. When there is a finding of a violation, assess the licensee for all or part of the actual
expenses incurred by the board or its agents for investigations and enforcement duties
performed. For the purposes of this paragraph, "actual expenses" includes, but is not
limited to, travel expenses and the proportionate part of the salaries and other expenses
of investigators or inspectors, hourly costs of hearing officers, costs associated with
record retrieval and the costs of transcribing or reproducing the administrative record;
R. Issue a license limited to the practice of administrative medicine, or any other
special license, as defined by rules adopted by the board; and
S. Adopt rules as the board determines necessary and proper to carry out this chapter.
Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title
5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
2. Duties. The board shall:
A. Investigate complaints in a timely fashion on the board's own motion and those
filed with the board regarding the potential violation of this chapter or the violation of
rules adopted by the board pursuant to its authority;
B. Open investigations following receipt of reports required by law to be filed with the
board or other information and reports made to the board regarding a licensee or
applicant for licensure;
C. Keep a record of the names and residences of all individuals licensed under this
chapter and a record of all money received and disbursed by the board. Records or
duplicates must always be open to inspection in the office of the secretary during
regular office hours. The board shall annually make a report to the Commissioner of
Professional and Financial Regulation and to the Legislature containing a full and
complete account of all its official acts during the preceding year and a statement of its
receipts and disbursements and comments or suggestions as the board determines
essential;
D. Submit to the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation the board's
budgetary requirements in the same manner as is provided in Title 5, section 1665. The
Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation shall in turn transmit these
requirements to the Bureau of the Budget without revision, alteration or change, unless
alterations are mutually agreed upon by the department and the board or the board's
designee; and
E. Ensure that the budget submitted by the board to the Commissioner of Professional
and Financial Regulation is sufficient, if approved, to provide for adequate legal and
investigative personnel on the board's staff and that of the Attorney General to ensure
that professional liability complaints described in Title 24, section 2607 and complaints
regarding this chapter may be resolved in a timely fashion. The board's staff must
include one position staffed by an individual who is primarily a consumer assistant.
Within the limit set by this chapter, the board shall charge sufficient licensure fees to
finance this budget provision. The board shall submit legislation to request an increase
in these fees should they prove inadequate to the provisions of this paragraph. Within
the limit of funds provided to it by the board, the Department of the Attorney General
shall make available to the board sufficient legal and investigative staff to enable all
complaints mentioned in this paragraph to be resolved in a timely fashion.
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    3. Annual report. Beginning March 1, 2028 and annually thereafter, the board shall
submit to the Legislature a report consisting of statistics on the following for the preceding
year and in comparison to prior years:
    A. The number and type of complaints against licensees received from the public or
    filed on the board's own motion, in the aggregate and for each type of licensee;
    B. The number and type of complaints dismissed for lack of merit or insufficient
    evidence of grounds for discipline, in the aggregate and for each type of licensee;
    C. The number and type of cases in process of investigation or hearing carried over at
    year-end, in the aggregate and for each type of licensee; and
    D. The number and type of disciplinary actions finalized during the report year, in the
    aggregate and for each type of licensee.
§20114. Role of commissioner
    The Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation shall act as a liaison
between the board and the Governor. The Commissioner of Professional and Financial
Regulation does not have the authority to exercise or interfere with the exercise of
discretionary, regulatory or licensing authority granted by statute to the board. The
Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation may require the board to be
accessible to the public for complaints and questions during regular business hours and to
provide any information the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation
requires in order to ensure that the board is operating administratively within the
requirements of this chapter.
§20115. Inspection or copying of record; procedure
     1. Request for record; redaction. When the board receives a request to inspect or
copy all or part of the record of an applicant or licensee, the board shall redact information
that is not public before making the record available for inspection or copying.
    2. Notice. When the board acknowledges a request to inspect or copy an applicant's
or a licensee's record as required by Title 1, section 408‑A, subsection 3, the board shall
send a notice to the applicant or licensee at the applicant's or licensee's last address on file
with the board explaining that the request has been made.
    3. Application. This section does not apply to requests for records from other
governmental licensing or disciplinary authorities or from any health care providers located
within or outside this State that are concerned with granting, limiting or denying an
applicant's or licensee's employment or privileges.
  SUBCHAPTER 3
  LICENSURE
§20121. Individual license
   Only an individual may be licensed under this chapter and only a licensed individual
may provide services for which a license is required under this chapter.
§20122. Licensure or privilege required
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    1. Unlicensed practice. The following provisions apply.
    A. Unless licensed or privileged by the board, an individual may not practice medicine
    or render medical services to any patient located in this State. A person may not engage
    in the practice of medicine or render medical services without a license or during any
    period when that person's license is in inactive status, has expired or has been
    suspended, surrendered or revoked.
    B. An individual who practices medicine, renders medical services or holds that
    individual out as doing so when the individual does not hold a valid, active license or
    privilege to do so may be subject to disciplinary action by the board or legal action by
    the Department of the Attorney General under Title 10, section 8003-C.
    2. Penalties. An individual who violates this section commits a Class E crime.
Violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34,
subsection 4‑A.
§20123. Exemption for licensed individual accompanying visiting athletic team
    1. Licensed individual accompanying visiting athletic team. This chapter does not
apply to an individual who holds a current unrestricted license to practice medicine and
surgery in another state when the individual, pursuant to a written agreement with an
athletic team located in the state in which the individual holds the license, provides medical
services to any of the following while the athletic team is traveling to or from or
participating in a sporting event in this State:
    A. A member of the athletic team;
    B. A member of the athletic team's coaching, communications, equipment or sports
    medicine staff;
    C. A member of a band or cheerleading squad accompanying the athletic team; and
    D. The athletic team's mascot.
    2. Restrictions. An individual authorized to provide medical services in this State
pursuant to subsection 1 may not provide medical services at a health care facility,
including a hospital, ambulatory surgical facility or any other facility where medical care,
diagnosis or treatment is provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
§20124. Application; fees; general requirements
   1. Application. An applicant seeking a license from the board must submit an
administratively complete application, licensure or application fee established by rule
adopted by the board and any other materials required by the board.
    2. Fees. All fees set forth in this chapter are nonrefundable application fees or
administrative processing fees payable to the board at the time of application or at the time
board action is requested. The board shall establish by rule the fees for each license issued
by the board. The maximum fees for each license issued by the board are provided in this
subchapter.
    3. Confidentiality of personal contact and health information. A personal
residence address, personal telephone number or personal e-mail address submitted to the
board as part of an application, complaint or investigation under this chapter is confidential
and may not be disclosed except as permitted under this section or as otherwise required
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by law unless the applicant who submitted the information has indicated that the applicant
is willing to have the applicant's personal residence address, personal telephone number or
personal e-mail address treated as a public record. Personal health information submitted
to the board as part of an application under this chapter is confidential and may not be
disclosed except as otherwise permitted under this section or otherwise required by law.
The board and its staff may disclose personal health information about and the personal
residence address, personal telephone number or personal e-mail address of a licensee or
an applicant for a license under this chapter to a government licensing or disciplinary
authority or to a health care provider located within or outside this State that is concerned
with granting, limiting or denying a license or employment or privileges to the applicant or
licensee.
    4. Public contact information required. An applicant or licensee shall provide the
board with a current professional address and telephone number, which will be the
applicant's or licensee's public contact address. An applicant or licensee who does not have
a public contact address and telephone number must use the applicant's or licensee's
personal address and telephone number as the public contact information.
    5. Consent to physical or mental examination; objections to admissibility of
examiner's testimony waived. For the purposes of this section, a physician or physician
associate licensed or privileged by the board who accepts the privilege of practicing
medicine or rendering medical services in this State by the filing of an application and of
biennial license renewal:
    A. Is deemed to have consented to a mental or physical examination by an individual
    or entity selected or approved by the board when directed in writing by the board or an
    investigative committee pursuant to section 20141; and
    B. Is deemed to have waived all objections to the admissibility of testimony based on
    the examination under paragraph A or reports from that examination on the ground that
    these constitute a privileged communication.
Pursuant to Title 4, section 184, subsection 6, the District Court shall immediately suspend
the license of a physician or physician associate who can be shown, through the results of
the medical or physical examination conducted under this section or through other
competent evidence, to be unable to practice medicine or render medical services with
reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of mental illness, alcohol intemperance or
excessive use of drugs or narcotics or as a result of a mental or physical condition
interfering with the competent provision of medical services.
    6. License must be displayed. A physician or physician associate licensed under this
chapter is entitled to receive a license under the seal of the board and signed by the chair
and the secretary. The license must be publicly displayed at the individual's principal place
of practice as long as the individual continues the practice of medicine.
§20125. Licensure of physician associates
    1. Qualification for licensure. The board may issue to an individual a license to
practice as a physician associate under the following conditions.
    A. A license may be issued to an individual who:
        (1) Graduated from a physician assistant or physician associate program approved
        by the board;
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        (2) Passed a physician assistant or physician associate national certifying
        examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of
        Physician Assistants or its successor organization;
        (3) Demonstrates current clinical competency either by having engaged in the
        clinical rendering of medical services during the preceding 24 months, or by
        providing a plan to practically demonstrate to the board's satisfaction the
        individual's clinical competency, the requirements of which may be set by
        rulemaking;
        (4) Does not have a license, certificate of registration or privilege that is the subject
        of disciplinary action such as probation, restriction, suspension, revocation or
        surrender;
        (5) Completes an application approved by the board;
        (6) Pays an application fee of up to $400; and
        (7) Passes an examination approved by the board.
    B. An applicant may not be licensed unless the board finds that the applicant is
    qualified and no cause exists, as set forth in section 20144, that may be considered
    grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed physician associate.
    2. Rules. The board may adopt rules regarding the licensure and practice of physician
associates. These rules may pertain to, but are not limited to, the following matters:
    A. Information to be contained in the application for a license;
    B. Education requirements for the physician associate;
    C. Requirements for collaborative agreements, including uniform standards and forms;
    D. Requirements for a physician associate to notify the board regarding certain
    circumstances, including, but not limited to, any change in address of the physician
    associate, the permanent departure of the physician associate from this State, any
    criminal convictions of the physician associate and any discipline by other jurisdictions
    of the physician associate;
    E. Issuance of temporary physician associate licenses;
    F. Continuing education requirements as a precondition to continued licensure or
    licensure renewal;
    G. Fees for the application for an initial physician associate license, which may not
    exceed $400; and
    H. Fees for the biennial renewal of a physician associate license in an amount not to
    exceed $350.
    3. Privileging of physician associates. The board shall issue a privilege to a physician
associate as permitted under chapter 145-A. The application fee to obtain a privilege
through the Physician Assistants Licensure Compact may not be higher than the application
fee for a physician associate license, and any fee for renewal of a Physician Assistants
Licensure Compact privilege may not exceed $350.
    4. Renewal of Physician Assistants Licensure Compact privilege. A physician
associate exercising the physician associate's compact privilege in this State must renew
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that compact privilege timely and consistent with all requirements of chapter 145-A and of
the participating state that issued the physician associate's qualifying license and shall pay
all fees required by the board.
§20126. Physician associate criminal history record information; fees
    1. Background check. The board shall request a background check for an individual
who submits an application for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement as a physician
associate under this chapter. The board shall request a background check for each licensed
physician associate who applies for an initial compact privilege and designates this State
as the applicant's participating state in accordance with chapter 145-A. The background
check must include criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal
Justice Information System established in Title 16, section 631 and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
    A. The criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice
    Information System must include public criminal history record information as defined
    in Title 16, section 703, subsection 8.
    B. The criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of
    Investigation must include other state and national criminal history record information.
    C. An applicant or licensee shall submit to having fingerprints taken. The Department
    of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, upon payment by the applicant or licensee of
    a fee established by the board, shall take or cause to be taken the applicant's or licensee's
    fingerprints and shall forward the fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety,
    Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification so that the State Bureau of
    Identification can conduct state and national criminal history record checks. Except
    for the portion of the payment, if any, that constitutes the processing fee charged by
    the Federal Bureau of Investigation, all money received by the Bureau of State Police
    for purposes of this paragraph must be paid to the Treasurer of State. The money must
    be applied to the expenses of administration incurred by the Department of Public
    Safety. An individual who fails to transmit criminal fingerprint records to the State
    Bureau of Identification pursuant to this paragraph is subject to the provisions of Title
    25, section 1550.
    D. The subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record check may
    obtain a copy of the criminal history record check by following the procedures outlined
    in 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 16.32 and 16.33. The subject of a state
    criminal history record check may inspect and review the criminal history record
    information pursuant to Title 16, section 709.
    E. State and federal criminal history record information of an applicant for a physician
    associate license may be used by the board for the purpose of screening the applicant.
    State and federal criminal history record information of a licensed physician associate
    seeking an initial compact privilege may be used by the board for the purpose of taking
    disciplinary action against the licensee. A board action against an applicant for
    licensure or a licensee under this subsection is subject to the provisions of Title 5,
    chapter 341.
    F. Information obtained pursuant to this subsection is confidential. The results of
    background checks received by the board are for official use only and may not be
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    disseminated to the Physician Assistants Licensure Compact Commission established
    under section 18537 or to any other person.
    G. An individual whose license has expired and who has not applied for renewal may
    request in writing that the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State
    Bureau of Identification remove the individual's fingerprints from the bureau's
    fingerprint file. In response to a written request, the bureau shall remove the
    individual's fingerprints from the fingerprint file and provide written confirmation of
    that removal.
    2. Rules. The board, following consultation with the Department of Public Safety,
Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification, may adopt rules to implement this
section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
§20127. Licensure of allopathic physicians
    Except as otherwise specified by this chapter, all applicants for licensure as an
allopathic physician or surgeon in this State must satisfy the following requirements.
    1. Medical education. Each applicant must:
    A. Graduate from a medical school designated as accredited by the Liaison Committee
    on Medical Education or the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical
    Schools;
    B. Graduate from an unaccredited medical school, be evaluated by the Educational
    Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and hold a current certificate from the
    Educational Commission for Foreign Graduates; or
    C. Graduate from an unaccredited medical school and achieve a passing score on a
    comprehensive examination determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to
    the United States Medical Licensing Examination or other examinations designated by
    the board as the qualifying examination or examinations for licensure.
    2. Postgraduate training. Each applicant who has graduated from an accredited
medical school on or after January 1, 1970 but before July 1, 2004 must have satisfactorily
completed at least 24 months in a medical graduate educational program accredited by the
Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, the Canadian Medical Association
or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Notwithstanding other
requirements of postgraduate training, an applicant is eligible for licensure when the
candidate has satisfactorily graduated from a combined postgraduate training program in
which each of the contributing programs is accredited by the Accreditation Council on
Graduate Medical Education and the applicant is eligible for accreditation by the American
Board of Medical Specialties in both specialties. Each applicant who has graduated from
an accredited medical school prior to January 1, 1970 must have satisfactorily completed
at least 12 months in a medical graduate educational program accredited by the
Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, the Canadian Medical Association
or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Each applicant who has
graduated from an accredited medical school on or after July 1, 2004 or an unaccredited
medical school must have satisfactorily completed at least 36 months in a medical graduate
educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical
Education or be licensed or registered to practice medicine according to the laws and rules
  Page 14 - 132LR3058(05)
of Canada, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or Ireland. An
applicant who has completed 24 months of postgraduate training and has received an
unrestricted endorsement from the director of an accredited graduate education program in
this State is considered to have satisfied the postgraduate training requirements of this
subsection if the applicant continues in that program and completes 36 months of
postgraduate training. Notwithstanding this subsection, an applicant who is board certified
by the American Board of Medical Specialties is deemed to meet the postgraduate training
requirements of this subsection. Notwithstanding this subsection, in the case of
subspecialty or clinical fellowship programs, the board may accept in fulfillment of the
requirements of this subsection postgraduate training at a hospital in which the subspecialty
clinical program, such as a training program accredited by the American Dental
Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or its successor organization, is not
accredited but the parent specialty program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on
Graduate Medical Education, including training that occurs following graduation from a
dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental
Accreditation or its successor organization but before graduation from a medical school
accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or its successor organization.
     3. Current clinical competency. An applicant must have engaged in active clinical
practice in the previous 24 months or provided a plan to practically demonstrate to the
board's satisfaction the applicant's clinical competency, the requirements of which may be
set by rulemaking.
     4. National board certification not required. The board may not require an applicant
for initial licensure or license renewal as an allopathic physician under this section to obtain
certification from a specialty medical board or to obtain a maintenance of certification as a
condition of licensure. For the purposes of this subsection, "maintenance of certification"
means a program that requires an allopathic physician to engage in periodic examination,
self-assessment, peer evaluation or other activities to maintain certification from a specialty
medical board.
    5. Examination. Each applicant must achieve a passing score on each component of
the uniform examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards or other examinations
designated by the board as the qualifying examination or examinations for licensure. Each
applicant must additionally achieve a passing score on a State of Maine jurisprudence
examination administered by the board.
   6. Fees. Each applicant shall pay a fee of up to $700 plus the cost of the qualifying
examination or examinations.
    7. Board action. An applicant may not be licensed unless the board finds that the
applicant is qualified and no cause exists, as set forth in section 20144, that may be
considered grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed physician or surgeon.
    8. Waiver for exceptional circumstances. The board may waive the requirements of
subsection 2 for a physician who does not meet the postgraduate training requirements but
who meets the requirements of this subsection.
    A. To be considered for a waiver under this subsection, the physician must:
        (1) Be a graduate of a foreign medical school, not including a medical school in
        Canada or Great Britain;
  Page 15 - 132LR3058(05)
        (2) Be licensed in another state; and
        (3) Have at least 3 years of clinical experience in the area of expertise.
    B. If the physician meets the requirements of paragraph A, the board shall use the
    following qualifications of the physician to determine whether to grant a waiver:
        (1) Completion of a 3-year clinical fellowship in the United States in the area of
        expertise. The burden of proof as to the quality and content of the fellowship is
        placed on the applicant;
        (2) Appointment to a clinical academic position at a licensed medical school in the
        United States;
        (3) Publication in peer-reviewed clinical medical journals recognized by the board;
        (4) The number of years in clinical practice; and
        (5) Other criteria demonstrating expertise, such as awards or other recognition.
    C. The costs associated with the board's determination of licensing eligibility in regard
    to paragraph B may be assessed for payment by the applicant upon completion of the
    determination under paragraph A. The application cost must reflect and not exceed the
    actual cost of the final determination.
§20128. Licensure of osteopathic physicians
    Except as otherwise specified by this chapter, all applicants for licensure as an
osteopathic physician or surgeon in this State must satisfy the following requirements.
    1. Osteopathic education. An applicant must graduate from an osteopathic medical
school designated as accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission
on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
    2. Postgraduate training. An applicant who has graduated from an accredited
osteopathic medical school prior to January 1, 2026 must have satisfactorily completed at
least 12 months in a medical graduate educational program accredited by the Accreditation
Council on Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. An
applicant who has graduated from an accredited osteopathic medical school on or after
January 1, 2026 must have satisfactorily completed at least 36 months in a graduate
educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical
Education or the American Osteopathic Association. The board may not require an
applicant for initial licensure or license renewal as an osteopathic physician under this
chapter to obtain certification from a specialty medical board or to complete maintenance
of certification as a condition of licensure. For the purposes of this subsection,
"maintenance of certification" means a program that requires a physician to engage in
periodic examination, self-assessment, peer evaluation or other activities to maintain
certification from a specialty medical board.
     3. Current clinical competency. An applicant must have engaged in active clinical
practice in the previous 24 months or provided a plan to practically demonstrate to the
board's satisfaction the applicant's clinical competency, the requirements of which may be
set by rulemaking.
    4. Examination. An applicant must achieve a passing score on each component of
the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners' Comprehensive Osteopathic
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Medical Licensing Examination of the United States, known as the COMLEX-USA
examination, or other examinations designated by the board as the qualifying examination
or examinations for licensure.
   5. Fees. An applicant shall pay a fee of up to $700 plus the cost of the qualifying
examination or examinations.
     6. No cause for disciplinary action. An applicant may not be licensed unless the
board finds that the applicant is qualified and no cause exists, as set forth in section 20144,
that may be considered grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed physician.
§20129. Background check for expedited physician licensure through Interstate
       Medical Licensure Compact
    1. Background check. The board shall request a background check for an individual
licensed under this chapter who applies for an expedited license under section 18506. The
background check must include criminal history record information obtained from the
Maine Criminal Justice Information System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    A. The criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice
    Information System must include a record of public criminal history record information
    as defined in Title 16, section 703, subsection 8.
    B. The criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of
    Investigation must include other state and national criminal history record information.
    C. An applicant shall submit to having fingerprints taken. The State Police, upon
    payment by the applicant, shall take or cause to be taken the applicant's fingerprints
    and shall forward the fingerprints to the State Bureau of Identification so that the
    bureau can conduct state and national criminal history record checks. Except for the
    portion of the payment, if any, that constitutes the processing fee charged by the
    Federal Bureau of Investigation, all money received by the State Police for purposes
    of this paragraph must be paid over to the Treasurer of State. The money must be
    applied to the expenses of administration incurred by the Department of Public Safety.
    D. The subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record check may
    obtain a copy of the criminal history record check by following the procedures outlined
    in 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 16.32 and 16.33. The subject of a state
    criminal history record check may inspect and review the criminal history record
    information pursuant to Title 16, section 709.
    E. State and federal criminal history record information of an applicant may be used
    by the board for the purpose of screening that applicant.
    F. Information obtained pursuant to this subsection is confidential. The results of
    background checks received by the board are for official use only and may not be
    disseminated to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, established in
    section 18512, or to any other person or entity.
    G. An individual whose expedited licensure through the Interstate Medical Licensure
    Compact under chapter 145 has expired and who has not applied for renewal may
    request in writing that the State Bureau of Identification remove the individual's
    fingerprints from the bureau's fingerprint file. In response to a written request, the
  Page 17 - 132LR3058(05)
    bureau shall remove the individual's fingerprints from the fingerprint file and provide
    written confirmation of that removal.
    2. Rules. The board, following consultation with the State Bureau of Identification,
shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are
routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
§20130. Other physician license types
    1. Temporary licensure. A physician who is qualified under section 20127 or 20128
may, without examination, be granted a temporary license for a period not to exceed one
year when the board determines that this action is necessary in order to provide relief for
local or national emergencies or for situations in which the number of physicians is
insufficient to supply adequate medical services or for the purpose of permitting the
physician to serve as locum tenens for another physician who is licensed to practice
medicine in this State. The fee for this temporary license may not be more than $400.
    2. Youth camp physicians. A physician who is qualified under section 20127 or
20128 may, at the discretion of the board, be temporarily licensed as a youth camp
physician so that the physician may care for the campers in that particular youth camp
licensed under Title 22, section 2495 for which the physician was hired and retained as a
youth camp physician. That physician is entitled to practice only on patients in the youth
camp. The temporary license must be obtained each year. Application for this temporary
license must be made in the same form and manner as for regular licensure. An
examination may not be exacted from applicants for these temporary licenses. The fee for
temporary licensure may not be more than $400 annually.
     3. Emergency 100-day license. A physician who presents a current active
unconditioned license from another United States licensing jurisdiction and who can
provide reasonable proof of meeting qualifications for licensure in this State must be issued
a license to serve temporarily for declared emergencies in this State or for other appropriate
reasons as determined by the board. The license is effective for not more than 100 days.
The fee for this license may not be more than $400.
    4. Temporary educational certificate. The board may issue a temporary educational
certificate in accordance with the following.
    A. An applicant who is qualified under this subchapter may receive a temporary
    educational certificate from the board to act as a hospital resident. A certificate to a
    hospital resident may be renewed every 3 years at the discretion of the board for not
    more than 8 years.
    B. An applicant who is enrolled in a program of medical and graduate medical training
    conducted jointly by a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
    Education and a graduate medical education program approved by the Accreditation
    Council on Graduate Medical Education may receive a temporary educational
    certificate from the board to act as a hospital resident as part of that graduate medical
    education program if the applicant is concurrently enrolled in the final year of medical
    training and the initial year of graduate medical education. The board may not issue a
    certificate pursuant to this paragraph for a period longer than that required to obtain the
    M.D. or D.O. degree. The period during which the certificate is in force may not be
  Page 18 - 132LR3058(05)
    considered in determining satisfaction of the requirement for postgraduate medical
    education under this subchapter.
    C. An applicant for a temporary educational certificate may not be certified unless the
    board finds that the applicant is qualified and that there exists no cause, as set forth in
    section 20144, that would be considered grounds for disciplinary action against a
    licensed physician or surgeon. The board, in its discretion, may require an examination
    for applicants for temporary educational certificates. Recipients of these certificates
    are entitled to all the rights granted to physicians who are licensed to practice medicine
    and surgery, except that their practice is limited to the training programs in which they
    are enrolled. A temporary educational certificate may be suspended or revoked, or the
    board may refuse to renew the certificate, for the reasons stated in section 20144 or if
    the hospital resident has violated the limitations placed upon the temporary educational
    certificate. The fee for this license may not be more than $300.
     5. Visiting instructors. A physician who has an unrestricted license to practice
medicine or surgery in another state may practice medicine or surgery in this State when
the physician is performing medical procedures as part of a course of instruction in graduate
medical education in a hospital located in this State. The right of a visiting medical
instructor to practice medicine in this State may be suspended or revoked for the reasons
stated in section 20144 or if the visiting medical instructor has performed medical
procedures that are not a part of a course of instruction. A visiting medical instructor shall
apply for authorization from the board to practice under this subsection. The fee for this
authorization may not be more than $300.
§20131. Biennial renewal of physician and physician associate licenses; qualification;
       fees; reinstatement after lapse
    1. Renewal of licenses. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a physician or
physician associate with a license issued by the board, including Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact licenses, shall apply to the board for relicensure using application
forms and submitting supporting documents required by the board. Except as provided in
paragraph A for initial proration of expiration dates, the board shall provide to every
licensee whose renewal application is approved and accepted proof of license renewal that
is valid for no longer than 2 years.
    A. Regardless of the date of initial licensure or last license renewal, the license of
    every physician and physician associate born in an odd-numbered year expires at
    midnight on the last day of the month of the individual's birth in every odd-numbered
    year. The license of every physician and physician associate born in an even-numbered
    year expires at midnight on the last day of the month of the individual's birth in every
    even-numbered year. Prior to expiration, a physician or physician associate must
    renew the license issued pursuant to this section by means of application to the board,
    on forms prescribed and supplied by the board.
    B. At least 60 days prior to expiration of a current license, the board shall notify each
    licensee of the requirement to renew the license. If an administratively complete
    license renewal application, as determined pursuant to this section, has not been
    submitted prior to the expiration date of the existing license, the license immediately
    and automatically expires. A license may be reinstated within 90 days after the date of
    expiration upon submission of an administratively complete application and payment
  Page 19 - 132LR3058(05)
of the renewal fee and late fee. If an administratively complete renewal application is
not submitted within 90 days of the date of the expiration of the license, the license
immediately and automatically lapses. The board may reinstate a license that has
lapsed pursuant to subsection 4.
2. Criteria for license renewal. Prior to renewing a license:
A. The board may pose any question to the licensee or other sources that the board
determines appropriate related to qualification for relicensure. These matters may
include, but are not limited to, confirmation of health status, professional standing and
conduct, professional liability claims history and license status in other jurisdictions.
The board shall, after affording the licensee due process, deny license renewal if the
board finds cause that may be considered grounds for refusal to renew the license
pursuant to section 20144, including, but not limited to, a determination that an
outstanding financial obligation to the board exists; and
B. A licensee seeking renewal of a license with the intent of conducting active clinical
medical practice or rendering medical services in this State shall submit evidence,
satisfactory to the board, of successful completion of a course of continuing medical
education within the preceding 24 months, as prescribed by rule. A licensee may not
engage in the clinical practice of medicine or render medical services in this State in
any degree, unless the board has found the licensee qualified by continuing medical
education and has marked the current license with the designation "active."
3. Fees. The following fees apply to licensure.
A. The board may charge a license renewal application fee of not more than $600 to
all applicants for full license renewal.
B. In addition to the application processing fee, the board may require payment of a
late application fee of not more than $100 from all licensees, regardless of age, from
whom the board has not received an administratively complete license renewal
application prior to the license expiration date. An application is not administratively
complete if it is not signed and dated by the licensee or does not provide full
information and responses of sufficient detail to permit board review, evaluation and
decision on renewal qualification. An application received without the required license
renewal application fee is considered incomplete and the applicant is subject to a late
fee.
C. The board may prorate the fee for biennial relicensure for individuals who have
been issued a full license within the past 12 months. The manner of proration, if done,
must be explained in the board's published schedule of fees. The board may waive all
or a portion of the established license renewal application fee upon receipt of a request
for waiver based on hardship or other special circumstance. Any waiver request
granted and the basis for the waiver must be recorded in the minutes of the board's
proceedings.
D. Unless received and deposited to the board's account in error and in violation of
this section or the board's rules, a license renewal application fee or late fee paid to the
board is not refundable if the board or the board's staff has commenced processing the
application, regardless of the board's action on the application.
  Page 20 - 132LR3058(05)
   4. Reinstatement after lapse. A license may be reinstated after the lapse of a license
under the following conditions.
    A. A license that has lapsed pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph A or B may be
    reinstated upon application by the individual on forms provided by the board. An
    individual whose license has lapsed for more than 5 years shall apply for a new license.
    B. When applying for reinstatement, the licensee must state the reason why the license
    lapsed and pay all fees in arrears at the time of lapse plus the current license renewal
    application fee and a nonrefundable reinstatement application processing fee of $100.
    C. The board may not reinstate a lapsed full license if the board finds any cause that
    may be considered a ground for discipline pursuant to section 20144 if the license had
    been in force. Prior to concluding that no cause exists, the board shall conduct the
    inquiries required by subsection 2, paragraph A for applications for renewal. In
    addition, the board may not reinstate the license of any individual who has not provided
    evidence satisfactory to the board of having actively engaged in the clinical practice of
    medicine or rendering of medical services during the past 24 months under the license
    of another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada unless the applicant has first
    satisfied the board of the applicant's current clinical competency by providing a plan
    to practically demonstrate to the board's satisfaction the applicant's clinical
    competency, the requirements of which may be set through rulemaking.
§20132. Withdrawal of license
    A licensee who notifies the board in writing of the withdrawal of the individual's
license is not required to pay licensure fees or penalties beyond those due at the time of the
holder's withdrawal, but after a holder gives this notice, the holder's license to practice is
not valid until reinstated by the board.
§20133. Inactive license status
    A licensee who wants to retain licensure while not practicing or rendering medical
services may apply for an inactive status license. During inactive status, the licensee must
renew the license and pay the renewal fee set by rule. Inactive status licensees may not
engage in the clinical practice of medicine and may not engage in the clinical rendering of
medical services. Continuing medical education hours and the jurisprudence examination
are not required for an inactive status licensee unless the inactive status licensee seeks
reinstatement or conversion to active status.
  SUBCHAPTER 4
  COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS
§20141. Investigative committees
    Separate investigative committees are established within the board with the power and
authority to conduct and act upon investigations in accordance with this subchapter.
    1. Composition. The chair of the board shall divide the membership of the board into
2 investigative committees of 11 members. Each investigative committee must include 3
allopathic physicians, 3 osteopathic physicians, 2 physician associates and 3 public
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members. The chair or vice-chair of the board shall chair each investigative committee,
and each investigative committee may choose an alternate to chair individual meetings in
the absence of the chair and vice-chair. Each investigative committee has the power to act
as an investigative committee or a hearing panel.
    2. Powers and duties of investigative committee. An investigative committee of the
board has the following powers and duties:
    A. The duty to investigate complaints, mandated reports, other reports and licensing
    matters in a timely fashion regarding potential violation of this chapter or the violation
    of rules adopted by the board pursuant to its authority;
    B. The power to issue subpoenas for the production of documents and records;
    C. The power to direct that a licensee or applicant for licensure or relicensure undergo
    a mental or physical examination. An individual examined pursuant to the direction of
    the committee may not prevent testimony or prevent the acceptance into evidence of a
    report based on that examination in any proceeding before the committee or board;
    D. The power to dismiss complaints;
    E. The power to dismiss complaints and issue letters of guidance or concern. A letter
    of guidance or concern may be used to educate, reinforce knowledge regarding legal
    or professional obligations and express concern over action or inaction by the licensee
    or applicant that does not rise to the level of misconduct sufficient to merit disciplinary
    action. The issuance of a letter of guidance or concern is not a formal proceeding and
    does not constitute an adverse disciplinary action of any form. Notwithstanding any
    provision of law to the contrary, a letter of guidance or concern is not confidential. The
    board may place a letter of guidance or concern, together with any underlying
    complaint, report and investigation materials, in a licensee's or applicant's file for a
    specified amount of time, not to exceed 10 years. Any letters, complaints and materials
    placed on file may be accessed and considered by the board in any subsequent action
    commenced against the licensee or applicant within the specified time frame.
    Complaints, reports and investigation materials placed on file are confidential only to
    the extent that confidentiality is required pursuant to Title 24, chapter 21;
    F. The power to hold an informal conference with a licensee or applicant for licensure
    or relicensure. The committee shall provide the licensee with adequate notice of the
    informal conference and the issues to be discussed. The complainant may attend and
    may be accompanied by up to 2 individuals, including legal counsel. The informal
    conference must be conducted in executive session of the committee, pursuant to Title
    1, section 405, unless otherwise requested by the licensee. Before the committee
    decides what action to take at the informal conference or as a result of the informal
    conference, the committee shall give the complainant a reasonable opportunity to
    speak. Statements made at the informal conference may not be introduced at a
    subsequent formal hearing unless all parties consent. The complainant, the licensee
    and the complainant's and the licensee's representatives, if any, shall maintain the
    confidentiality of the informal conference;
    G. The power, with the consent of the licensee, to enter into a consent agreement that
    resolves an investigation and that fixes the period and terms of probation best adapted
    to protect the public health and safety and rehabilitate or educate the licensee. Consent
  Page 22 - 132LR3058(05)
    agreements may be entered into only with the consent of the applicant or licensee, the
    investigative committee and the Department of the Attorney General. Any remedy,
    penalty or fine or cost recovery that is otherwise available by law, even if only in the
    jurisdiction of the District Court, may be achieved by consent agreement, including
    long-term suspension or permanent revocation of a professional license. A consent
    agreement is not subject to review or appeal and may be modified only by a writing
    executed by all parties to the original consent agreement. A consent agreement is
    enforceable by the board and by an action in Superior Court;
    H. The power to accept a voluntary surrender of a license or privilege, in consideration
    of which the committee may negotiate stipulations, including terms and conditions for
    reinstatement, that ensure protection of the public health and safety and serve to
    rehabilitate or educate the licensee. These stipulations may be set forth only in a
    consent agreement signed by the board, the licensee and the Office of the Attorney
    General;
    I. If the committee concludes that modification or nonrenewal of the license is in order,
    the power to hold an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375,
    subchapter 4;
    J. The power to refer the investigation to an adjudicatory hearing before the board or
    to the Office of the Attorney General to file a complaint in the District Court in
    accordance with Title 4, chapter 5; and
    K. The power to conduct adjudicatory hearings referred by the other investigative
    committee under this section.
    3. Adjudicatory hearings. The following provisions apply to adjudicatory hearings.
    A. Adjudicatory hearings must be conducted by an adjudicatory hearing panel
    composed solely of a subset of board members taken from among one of the 2
    investigative committees, with a minimum quorum of 5 members serving as an
    adjudicatory hearing panel, as long as at least one member serving on an adjudicatory
    hearing panel holds the same license as a licensee or applicant for licensure whose case
    is being adjudicated and is present for purposes of a quorum when a decision is made
    by an adjudicatory hearing panel. A board member may not serve on an adjudicatory
    hearing panel if the board member participated in the review and investigation of the
    licensee or applicant for licensure whose case is being adjudicated.
    B. Adjudicatory hearings held by adjudicatory hearing panels must be conducted
    consistent with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4.
    C. A presiding officer shall conduct each board hearing, as determined by the
    adjudicatory hearing panel or by board rule.
    D. The board may adopt rules governing its adjudicatory hearings in accordance with
    section 20113, subsection 1, paragraph S.
§20142. Complaints; reports; investigations
   The board, acting through an investigative committee of the board pursuant to section
20141, shall investigate a complaint, on its own motion or upon receipt of a written
complaint filed with the board, regarding alleged noncompliance with or violation of this
chapter or any rules adopted by the board. The board shall notify the licensee of the content
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of a complaint filed against the licensee as soon as possible, but not later than 60 days after
receipt of this information. The licensee shall respond within 30 days. The board shall
share the licensee's response with the complainant, unless the board determines that it
would be detrimental to the health of the complainant, the licensee or a patient related to
the complaint to obtain the response or that the complainant is not legally entitled to the
confidential medical information contained in the response. Board staff shall ensure that
the complaint is referred to one of the investigative committees described in section 20141
for review. When a complaint has been filed against a licensee and the licensee moves or
has moved to another state, the board may report to the appropriate licensing board in that
state the complaint that has been filed, other complaints in the physician's record on which
action was taken and disciplinary actions of the board with respect to that physician. When
an individual applies for a license under this chapter and any issue arises during the
application review that may constitute grounds for discipline, the board, acting through the
investigative committee, may investigate the professional or criminal record of that
individual, including professional records that the individual may have as a licensee in
other states. The board may deny a license or authorize a restricted license based on the
record of the applicant in other states or for any reason enumerated in this chapter that
constitutes grounds for discipline. When the board receives a report pursuant to Title 24,
section 2505 or 2506 regarding a licensee, board staff shall ensure that the report is referred
to one of the investigative committees for review. Following review, the investigative
committee may close the matter without action, further investigate or open a complaint.
§20143. Emergency action
    Upon its own motion or upon complaint, the board, or an investigative committee of
the board pursuant to section 20141, in the interests of public health, safety and welfare,
shall treat as an emergency a complaint or allegation that an individual licensed under this
chapter is or may be unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients
by reason of mental illness, alcohol intemperance or excessive use of drugs or narcotics or
as a result of a mental or physical condition interfering with the competent practice of
medicine. In enforcing this section, the board, or an investigative committee of the board
pursuant to section 20141, may compel a licensee to submit to a mental or physical
examination directed by the board. Failure of a licensee to submit to this examination when
directed constitutes an admission of the allegations against the physician, unless the failure
was due to circumstances beyond the physician's control, upon which a final order of
disciplinary action may be entered without the taking of testimony or presentation of
evidence. A licensee affected under this section must, at reasonable intervals, be afforded
an opportunity to demonstrate that the licensee can resume the competent practice of
medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients. For the purposes of this chapter, by
practicing or by making and filing a biennial license to practice medicine in this State, a
licensee licensed under this chapter who accepts the privilege to practice medicine in this
State is deemed to have given consent to a mental or physical examination when directed
in writing by the board and to have waived all objections to the admissibility of the
examiner's testimony or examination reports on the grounds that the testimony or reports
constitute a privileged communication. Injunctions must issue immediately to enjoin the
practice of medicine by an individual licensed to practice under this chapter when that
individual's continued practice may cause irreparable damage to the public health or safety
prior to the time proceedings under this chapter could be instituted and completed. In a
petition for injunction pursuant to this section, there must be set forth with particularity the
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facts that make it appear that irreparable damage to the public health or safety may occur
prior to the time proceedings under this chapter could be instituted and completed. The
petition must be filed in the name of the board on behalf of this State.
§20144. Disciplinary action; judicial review
    1. Disciplinary action. The board may suspend or revoke a license or privilege issued
by the board pursuant to Title 5, section 10004. In addition to the powers under Title 10,
section 8003, subsection 5, the board may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew a
license or privilege or impose license or privilege restrictions, conditions and periods of
probation based on the following grounds for discipline:
    A. The practice of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining a license or authority
    from the board or in connection with services within the scope of the license or
    authority;
    B. Misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances that has resulted or may result in the
    licensee performing services in a manner that endangers the health or safety of patients;
    C. A professional diagnosis of a mental or physical condition that has resulted or may
    result in the licensee performing services in a manner that endangers the health or
    safety of patients;
    D. Aiding or abetting the practice of medicine or rendering of medical services by an
    individual who is not licensed under this chapter and who has not been properly
    delegated the task and who claims to be legally licensed;
    E. Incompetence in the practice for which the licensee is licensed or authorized by the
    board. A licensee is considered incompetent in the practice if the licensee has engaged
    in conduct that evidences a lack of ability or fitness to perform the duties owed by the
    licensee to a client or patient or the general public; or engaged in conduct that evidences
    a lack of knowledge or inability to apply principles or skills to carry out the practice
    for which the licensee is licensed;
    F. Unprofessional conduct. A licensee is considered to have engaged in unprofessional
    conduct if the licensee violates a standard of professional behavior, including engaging
    in disruptive behavior, that has been established in the practice for which the licensee
    is licensed. For purposes of this paragraph, "disruptive behavior" means aberrant
    behavior that interferes with or is likely to interfere with the delivery of care;
    G. Subject to the limitations of Title 5, chapter 341, conviction of a crime that involves
    dishonesty or false statement or that relates directly to the practice for which the
    licensee is licensed or authorized by the board, or conviction of a crime for which
    incarceration for one year or more may be imposed;
    H. A violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board;
    I. Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising;
    J. Prescribing drugs listed as controlled substances by the United States Department
    of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration for other than accepted therapeutic
    purposes;
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    K. Failure to report to the board a physician or physician associate licensed under this
    chapter or a physician associate privileged under chapter 145-A, in accordance with
    Title 24, section 2505;
    L. Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 24, section 2905‑A;
    M. Revocation, suspension or restriction of a license to practice medicine or other
    disciplinary action; denial of an application for a license; or surrender of a license to
    practice medicine following the institution of disciplinary action by another state or a
    territory of the United States or a foreign country if the conduct resulting in the
    disciplinary or other action involving the license would, if committed in this State,
    constitute grounds for discipline under the laws or rules of this State;
    N. Engaging in any activity requiring a license under the governing law of the board
    that is beyond the scope of acts authorized by the license held;
    O. Continuing to act in a capacity requiring a license or authority under this chapter or
    a rule adopted by the board after expiration, suspension or revocation of that license or
    authority;
    P. Noncompliance with an order of the board or a consent agreement executed by the
    board;
    Q. Failure to produce any requested documents in the licensee's possession or under
    the licensee's control relevant to a pending complaint, proceeding or matter under
    investigation by the board;
    R. Failure to timely respond to a complaint notification sent by the board;
    S. Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7253; or
    T. Advertising, offering or administering conversion therapy to a minor.
    2. Judicial review. Notwithstanding any provision of Title 10, section 8003,
subsection 5 to the contrary, any nonconsensual revocation pursuant to Title 10, section
8003, subsection 5 of a license or authority issued by the board may be imposed only after
a hearing conforming to the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 and is
subject to judicial review exclusively in the Superior Court in accordance with Title 5,
chapter 375, subchapter 7.
    3. Letters of guidance. In addition to the authority conferred under Title 10, section
8003, subsection 5, the board may issue a letter of guidance or concern to a licensee or
applicant. A letter of guidance or concern may be used to educate, reinforce knowledge
regarding legal or professional obligations and express concern over action or inaction by
the licensee or applicant that does not rise to the level of misconduct sufficient to merit
disciplinary action. The issuance of a letter of guidance or concern is not a formal
proceeding and does not constitute an adverse disciplinary action of any form.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a letter of guidance or concern is not
confidential. The board may place a letter of guidance or concern, together with any
underlying complaint, report and investigation materials, in a licensee's or applicant's file
for a specified amount of time, not to exceed 10 years. Any letters, complaints and
materials placed on file may be accessed and considered by the board in any subsequent
action commenced against the licensee or applicant within the specified time frame.
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Complaints, reports and investigation materials placed on file are confidential only to the
extent that confidentiality is required pursuant to Title 24, chapter 21.
  SUBCHAPTER 5
   DELEGATION; SCOPE OF PRACTICE; REQUIREMENTS; STANDARDS
§20151. Delegation by physicians and physician associates
    A physician or physician associate may delegate to the physician's or physician
associate's employees or support staff or members of a health care team, including medical
assistants, certain activities relating to medical care and treatment carried out by custom
and usage when the activities are under the control of the physician or physician associate;
the activities being delegated do not, unless otherwise provided by law, require a license,
privilege, registration or certification to perform; the physician or physician associate
ensures that the employees or support staff or members of a health care team have the
appropriate training, education and experience to perform these delegated activities; and
the physician or physician associate ensures that the employees or support staff perform
these delegated activities competently and safely. The physician or physician associate
who delegates an activity permitted under this section to employees or support staff, to
program graduates or to participants in an approved training program is legally liable for
the activity performed by these individuals, and any individual in this relationship is
considered the physician's or physician associate's agent. This section may not be
construed to apply to registered nurses acting pursuant to chapter 31 or physician associates
acting pursuant to this chapter.
    If the delegated activities are part of the practice of optometry as defined in chapter
151, the individual to whom these activities are delegated must possess a valid license to
practice optometry in this State, or otherwise may perform only as a technician within the
established office of a physician, and otherwise acting solely on the order of and under the
responsibility of a physician skilled in the treatment of eyes as designated by the proper
professional board, and without assuming evaluation or interpretation of examination
findings by prescribing corrective procedures to preserve, restore or improve vision.
§20152. Physician associates; scope of practice and agreement requirements
    1. Scope of practice. A physician associate may render any medical service for which
the physician associate has been prepared by education, training and experience and is
competent to perform. The scope of practice of a physician associate is determined by
practice setting, including, but not limited to, a physician employer setting, physician group
practice setting or independent private practice setting, or, in a health care facility setting,
by a system of credentialing and granting of privileges.
     2. Dispensing drugs. Except for distributing a professional sample of a prescription
or legend drug, a physician associate who dispenses a prescription or legend drug:
    A. Shall comply with all relevant federal and state laws and federal regulations and
    state rules; and
    B. May dispense the prescription or legend drug only when:
        (1) A pharmacy service is not reasonably available;
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        (2) Dispensing the drug is in the best interests of the patient; or
        (3) An emergency exists.
    3. Consultation. A physician associate may, as indicated by a patient's condition, the
education, competencies and experience of the physician associate and the standards of
care, consult with, collaborate with or refer the patient to an appropriate physician or other
health care professional. The level of consultation under this subsection is determined by
the practice setting, including a physician employer, physician group practice or private
practice, or by the system of credentialing and granting of privileges of a health care
facility. Consultation may occur electronically or through telecommunication and includes
communication, task sharing and education among all members of a health care team.
     4. Collaborative agreement requirements. A physician associate with less than
4,000 hours of clinical practice documented to the board shall work in accordance with a
collaborative agreement with an active physician that describes the physician associate's
scope of practice, except that a physician associate working in a physician group practice
setting or a health care facility setting under a system of credentialing and granting of
privileges and scope of practice agreement may use that system of credentialing and
granting of privileges and scope of practice agreement in lieu of a collaborative agreement.
A physician associate is legally responsible and assumes legal liability for any medical
service provided by the physician associate in accordance with the physician associate's
scope of practice under subsection 1 and a collaborative agreement under this subsection.
Under a collaborative agreement, collaboration may occur through electronic means and
does not require the physical presence of the physician at the time or place that the medical
services are provided. A physician associate shall submit the collaborative agreement, or,
if appropriate, the scope of practice agreement, to the board for approval and the agreement
must be kept on file at the main location of the place of practice and be made available to
the board or the board's representative upon request. Upon submission to the board of
documentation of 4,000 hours of clinical practice, a physician associate is no longer subject
to the requirements of this subsection.
     5. Construction. To address the need for affordable, high-quality health care services
throughout this State and to expand, in a safe and responsible manner, access to health care
providers such as physician associates, this section must be liberally construed to authorize
physician associates to provide health care services to the full extent of their education,
training and experience in accordance with their scopes of practice as determined by their
practice settings.
§20153. Review committee member immunity
     A physician or physician associate licensed under this chapter who is a member of a
utilization review committee, medical review committee, surgical review committee, peer
review committee or disciplinary committee that is a requirement of accreditation by the
Joint Commission on accreditation of hospitals or is established and operated under the
auspices of the physician's or physician associate's respective state or county professional
society or the board is immune from civil liability for undertaking or failing to undertake
an act within the scope of the function of the committee.
§20154. Records of proceedings of medical staff review committees confidential
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    All proceedings and records of proceedings concerning medical staff reviews, hospital
reviews and other reviews of medical care conducted by committees of physicians and
other health care personnel on behalf of hospitals located within this State or on behalf of
individual physicians, when the reviews are required by state or federal law or rule or as a
condition of accreditation by the Joint Commission on accreditation of hospitals or the
American Osteopathic Association Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program or are
conducted under the auspices of the state or county professional society to which the
physician belongs, are confidential and are exempt from discovery. Provision of
information protected by this section to the board pursuant to Title 24, section 2506 does
not waive or otherwise affect the confidentiality of the records or the exemption from
discovery provided by this section for any other purpose.
§20155. Lyme disease treatment
    1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
    A. "Long-term antibiotic therapy" means the administration of oral, intramuscular or
    intravenous antibiotics, singly or in combination, for a period of time in excess of 4
    weeks.
    B. "Lyme disease" means:
        (1) The presence of signs or symptoms compatible with acute infection with
        Borrelia burgdorferi;
        (2) Late stage, persistent or chronic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi;
        (3) Complications related to an infection under subparagraph (1) or (2); or
        (4) The presence of signs or symptoms compatible with acute infection or late
        stage, persistent or chronic infection with other strains of Borrelia that are
        identified or recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human
        Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a cause of disease.
    "Lyme disease" includes an infection that meets the surveillance criteria for Lyme
    disease established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services,
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease that
    does not meet the surveillance criteria for Lyme disease set by the United States
    Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
    Prevention but presents other acute and chronic signs or symptoms of Lyme disease as
    determined by a patient's treating physician.
    2. Lyme disease treatment. A physician licensed under this chapter may prescribe,
administer or dispense long-term antibiotic therapy for a therapeutic purpose to eliminate
infection or to control a patient's symptoms upon making a clinical diagnosis that the
patient has Lyme disease or displays symptoms consistent with a clinical diagnosis of Lyme
disease. The physician shall document the clinical diagnosis and treatment in the patient's
medical record. The clinical diagnosis must be based on knowledge obtained through
medical history and physical examination only or in conjunction with testing that provides
supportive data for the clinical diagnosis.
§20156. Treatment of minors
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     An individual licensed under this chapter who renders medical care to a minor for the
prevention or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection or treatment of substance use
disorder or for the collection of sexual assault evidence through a sexual assault forensic
examination is under no obligation to obtain the consent of the minor's parent or guardian
or to inform the parent or guardian of the prevention or treatment or collection. This section
may not be construed to prohibit the licensed individual rendering the prevention services
or treatment or collection from informing the parent or guardian. For purposes of this
section, "substance use disorder" means the use of drugs or alcohol solely for their
stimulant, depressant or hallucinogenic effect upon the higher functions of the central
nervous system and not as a therapeutic agent recommended by a practitioner in the course
of medical treatment.
§20157. Posting of policy regarding acceptance of Medicare assignment
     An individual licensed to practice medicine or render medical services under this
chapter, or privileged under chapter 145-A, a chiropractor licensed pursuant to chapter 9
or a podiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 51 who treats Medicare-eligible individuals
shall post in a conspicuous place that professional's policy regarding the acceptance of
Medicare assignment. This posting must state the policy on accepting assignment and
name the individual with whom the patient should communicate regarding the policy. The
Maine Board of Medicine, the Board of Licensure of Podiatric Medicine and the Board of
Chiropractic Licensure shall enforce the provisions of this section and inform each licensee
of the licensee's obligation under this section. Each board may discipline a licensee under
its jurisdiction for failing to comply with this section and impose a monetary penalty of not
less than $100 and not more than $1,000 for each violation.
§20158. Release of contact lens prescription
    After contact lenses have been adequately fitted and the patient released from
immediate follow-up care by the physician, the patient may request a copy of the contact
lens specifications from the physician. The physician shall provide a copy of the
prescription at no cost, which must contain the information necessary to properly duplicate
the current prescription. The contact lens prescription must contain an expiration date not
to exceed 24 months from the date of issue. The prescription may contain fitting guidelines
and may also contain specific instructions for use by the patient. The prescribing physician
is not liable for an injury to or a condition of a patient that results from negligence in
packaging, manufacturing or dispensing lenses by anyone other than the prescribing
physician. The dispensing party may dispense contact lenses only upon receipt of a written
prescription, except that a physician may fill a prescription of an optometrist or another
physician without a copy of the prescription. Mail order contact lens suppliers must be
licensed by and register with the Maine Board of Pharmacy pursuant to section 13751,
subsection 3‑A and are subject to discipline by that board for violations of that board's rules
and the laws governing the board. An individual who fills a contact lens prescription shall
maintain a file of that prescription for a period of 5 years. An individual, a corporation or
any other entity, other than a mail order contact lens supplier, that improperly fills a contact
lens prescription or fills an expired prescription commits a civil violation for which a fine
of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 may be adjudged. An individual may file a
complaint with the board seeking disciplinary action concerning violations of this section.
§20159. Expedited partner therapy
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   An individual licensed under this chapter may not be disciplined for providing
expedited partner therapy in accordance with Title 22, chapter 251, subchapter 3, article 5.
§20160. Issuance of prescription for ophthalmic lenses
    A physician licensed by the board may not issue a prescription for ophthalmic lenses,
as defined in section 19101, subsection 19, solely in reliance on a measurement of the eye
by a kiosk, as defined in section 19101, subsection 14, without conducting an eye
examination, as defined in section 19101, subsection 11.
§20161. Requirements regarding prescription of opioid medication
    1. Limits on opioid medication prescribing. Except as provided in subsection 2, an
individual licensed under this chapter or privileged under chapter 145-A and whose scope
of practice includes prescribing opioid medication may not prescribe:
    A. To a patient any combination of opioid medication in an aggregate amount in excess
    of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of opioid medication per day;
    B. To a patient who, on the effective date of this section, has an active prescription for
    opioid medication in excess of 100 morphine milligram equivalents of an opioid
    medication per day, an opioid medication in an amount that would cause that patient's
    total amount of opioid medication to exceed 300 morphine milligram equivalents of
    opioid medication per day; except that, on or after July 1, 2017, the aggregate amount
    of opioid medication prescribed may not be in excess of 100 morphine milligram
    equivalents of opioid medication per day;
    C. Within a 30-day period, more than a 30-day supply of an opioid medication to a
    patient under treatment for chronic pain. For the purposes of this paragraph, "chronic
    pain" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 7246, subsection 1‑C; or
    D. Within a 7-day period, more than a 7-day supply of an opioid medication to a patient
    under treatment for acute pain unless the opioid product is labeled by the federal Food
    and Drug Administration to be dispensed only in a stock bottle that exceeds a 7-day
    supply as prescribed, in which case the amount dispensed may not exceed a 14-day
    supply. For the purposes of this paragraph, "acute pain" has the same meaning as in
    Title 22, section 7246, subsection 1‑A.
    2. Exceptions. An individual licensed under this chapter or privileged under chapter
145-A whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication is exempt from the
limits on opioid medication prescribing established in subsection 1 only:
    A. When prescribing opioid medication to a patient for:
        (1) Pain associated with active and aftercare cancer treatment;
        (2) Palliative care, as defined in Title 22, section 1726, subsection 1, paragraph A,
        in conjunction with a serious illness, as defined in Title 22, section 1726,
        subsection 1, paragraph B;
        (3) End-of-life and hospice care; or
        (4) Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder; and
    B. When directly ordering or administering a benzodiazepine or opioid medication to
    an individual in an emergency room setting, an inpatient hospital setting, a long-term
    care facility or a residential care facility or in connection with a surgical procedure. As
  Page 31 - 132LR3058(05)
    used in this paragraph, "administer" has the same meaning as in Title 22, section 7246,
    subsection 1‑B.
     3. Electronic prescribing. An individual licensed under this chapter or privileged
under chapter 145-A and whose scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication
with the capability to electronically prescribe shall prescribe all opioid medication
electronically by July 1, 2017. An individual who does not have the capability to
electronically prescribe must request a waiver from this requirement from the
Commissioner of Health and Human Services stating the reasons for the lack of capability,
the availability of broadband infrastructure and a plan for developing the ability to
electronically prescribe opioid medication. The commissioner may grant a waiver
including circumstances in which exceptions are appropriate, including prescribing outside
of the individual's usual place of business and technological failures.
    4. Continuing education. By December 31, 2017, an individual licensed under this
chapter or privileged under chapter 145-A must successfully complete 3 hours of
continuing education every 2 years on the prescription of opioid medication. The board
shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection
are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
    5. Penalties. An individual who violates this section commits a civil violation for
which a fine of $250 per violation, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year, may be
adjudged. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the
enforcement of this section.
     6. Opioid medication policy. No later than January 1, 2018, a health care entity that
includes an individual licensed under this chapter or privileged under chapter 145-A whose
scope of practice includes prescribing opioid medication must have in place an opioid
medication prescribing policy that applies to all prescribers of opioid medications
employed by the health care entity. The policy must include, but is not limited to,
procedures and practices related to risk assessment, informed consent and counseling on
the risk of opioid use. For the purposes of this subsection, "health care entity" has the same
meaning as in Title 22, section 1718‑B, subsection 1, paragraph B.
§20162. Prohibition on providing conversion therapy to minors
    An individual licensed, registered or certified under this chapter may not advertise,
offer or administer conversion therapy to a minor.
§20163. Duty to warn and protect
     1. Duty. A licensee has a duty to warn of or to take reasonable precautions to provide
protection from a patient's violent behavior if the licensee has a reasonable belief based on
communications with the patient that the patient is likely to engage in physical violence
that poses a serious risk of harm to self or others. The duty imposed under this subsection
may not be interpreted to require the licensee to take any action that in the reasonable
professional judgment of the licensee would endanger the licensee or increase the threat of
danger to a potential victim.
    2. Discharge of duty. A licensee subject to a duty to warn or provide protection under
subsection 1 may discharge that duty if the licensee makes reasonable efforts to
communicate the threat to a potential victim, notifies a law enforcement agency or seeks
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involuntary hospitalization of the patient under Title 34‑B, chapter 3, subchapter 4, article
3.
    3. Immunity. No monetary liability and no cause of action may arise concerning
patient privacy or confidentiality against a licensee for information disclosed to 3rd parties
in an effort to discharge a duty under subsection 2.
  SUBCHAPTER 6
  TELEHEALTH SERVICES
§20181. Definitions
   As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms
have the following meanings.
    1. Asynchronous encounter. "Asynchronous encounter" means an interaction
between a patient and a person licensed under this chapter through a system that has the
ability to store digital information, including, but not limited to, still images, video files,
audio files, text files and other relevant data, and to transmit such information without
requiring the simultaneous presence of the patient and the person licensed under this
chapter.
    2. Store and forward transfer. "Store and forward transfer" means the transmission
of a patient's records through a secure electronic system to a person licensed under this
chapter.
    3. Synchronous encounter. "Synchronous encounter" means a real-time interaction
conducted with an interactive audio or video connection between a patient and a person
licensed under this chapter or between a person licensed under this chapter and another
health care provider.
    4. Telehealth services. "Telehealth services" means health care services delivered
through the use of information technology and includes synchronous encounters,
asynchronous encounters, store and forward transfers and telemonitoring.
    5. Telemonitoring. "Telemonitoring" means the use of information technology to
remotely monitor a patient's health status via electronic means, allowing the person licensed
under this chapter to track the patient's health data over time. Telemonitoring may be
synchronous or asynchronous.
§20182. Telehealth services permitted
    A person licensed under this chapter may provide telehealth services as long as the
licensee acts within the scope of practice of the licensee's license, in accordance with any
requirements and restrictions imposed by this subchapter and in accordance with standards
of practice.
§20183. Confidentiality
    When providing telehealth services, a person licensed under this chapter shall comply
with all state and federal confidentiality and privacy laws.
§20184. Professional responsibility
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    All laws and rules governing professional responsibility, unprofessional conduct and
generally accepted standards of practice that apply to a person licensed under this chapter
also apply to that licensee while that licensee is providing telehealth services.
§20185. Rulemaking
     The board shall adopt rules governing telehealth services by persons licensed under
this chapter. These rules must establish standards of practice and appropriate restrictions
for the various types and forms of telehealth services. Rules adopted pursuant to this
section are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
    Sec. A-8. Transition. The following provisions apply to the reassignment of the
duties and responsibilities related to the licensing and regulation of allopathic physicians,
osteopathic physicians and physician associates in this State.
    1. The Maine Board of Medicine is created and established by law. All other statutory
references to, responsibilities of and authority conferred upon the Board of Licensure in
Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure are deemed to refer to and vest in the
Maine Board of Medicine created by this Part. The Maine Board of Medicine is the
successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions related to the licensure and
regulation of physicians and physician associates in this State.
    2. All licenses issued by the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of
Osteopathic Licensure that are in effect on the effective date of this Part remain in effect
until those licenses expire. The authority over those licenses is transferred to the Maine
Board of Medicine on the effective date of this Part.
    3. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, all accrued
expenditures, assets, liabilities, balances of appropriations, allocations, transfers, revenues
or other available funds in an account or subdivision of an account of the Board of
Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure must be transferred to the
proper accounts of the Maine Board of Medicine by the State Controller or by financial
order upon the request of the State Budget Officer and with the approval of the Governor.
    4. All rules of the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic
Licensure that are in effect on the effective date of this Part remain in effect until rescinded,
revised or amended.
     5. All contracts, agreements and compacts of the Board of Licensure in Medicine and
the Board of Osteopathic Licensure as they pertain to the duties set forth in this Part that
are in effect on the effective date of this Part remain in effect until they expire or are altered
by the parties involved in the contracts or agreements. The Maine Board of Medicine is
the successor agency for all contracts, agreements and compacts of the Board of Licensure
in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure.
    6. All records of the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic
Licensure as they pertain to the duties set forth in this Part must be transferred to the Maine
Board of Medicine as necessary to implement this Part.
    7. All property and equipment of the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of
Osteopathic Licensure pertaining to the duties set forth in this Part are transferred to the
Maine Board of Medicine as necessary to implement this Part.
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    8. Employees of the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic
Licensure who were employees of those respective boards immediately prior to the
effective date of this Part retain all their employee rights, privileges and benefits, including
sick leave, vacation and seniority, provided under the Civil Service Law or collective
bargaining agreements. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau
of Human Resources shall provide assistance to the affected employees and the Maine
Board of Medicine and shall assist with the orderly implementation of this subsection.
    9. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of the Budget
shall work with employees of the Maine Board of Medicine with regard to the duties
transferred to it as set forth in this Part to develop the budget for the Maine Board of
Medicine.
    10. All complaints and investigations in progress at the time this Part takes effect must
be assigned to one of the Maine Board of Medicine's investigative committees, and a
licensee with a pending matter at the time of the merger is not entitled to challenge any
member of that committee who previously heard the matter when sitting as a member of
the Board of Licensure in Medicine or the Board of Osteopathic Licensure.
    11. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 20112, subsection 1,
the appointments of current board members of both the Board of Licensure in Medicine
and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure carry over, and all sitting members appointed by
the Governor as of the effective date of the merger serve on the Maine Board of Medicine
until their existing appointment terms expire.
    12. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 20112, subsection 5,
the members of the Maine Board of Medicine shall meet on the 2nd Tuesday in January
2027 at the time and place the board may determine and shall elect a chair, vice-chair and
a secretary, who hold their respective offices until the 2nd Tuesday in July 2027.
    13. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 20112, subsection 2,
of the initial members appointed to the Maine Board of Medicine pursuant to Title 32,
section 20112, subsection 1, 2 members appointed pursuant to paragraphs A, B and D must
be appointed to a term of 3 years; 2 members appointed pursuant to paragraphs A, B and
D must be appointed to a term of 4 years; 2 members appointed pursuant to paragraphs A,
B and D must be appointed to a term of 5 years; one member appointed pursuant to
paragraph C must be appointed to a term of 3 years; one member appointed pursuant to
paragraph C must be appointed to a term of 4 years; and 2 members appointed pursuant to
paragraph C must be appointed to a term of 5 years.
    Sec. A-9. Effective date. This Part takes effect January 1, 2027.
  PART B
    Sec. B-1. Report on planning for merger and additional recommendations
for statutory changes. No later than January 31, 2027, the Board of Licensure in
Medicine, jointly with the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, shall submit a report on the
planning completed by the board prior to the establishment of the Maine Board of Medicine
as set forth in Part A, including recommendations for any suggested legislation necessary
to further implement the merger, to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of
the Legislature having jurisdiction over professional licensing board matters. The joint
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standing committee having jurisdiction over professional licensing board matters may
report out a bill to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.
  PART C
    Sec. C-1. 22 MRSA §20, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 523, §1, is
amended to read:
    A. Be licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a physician under Title 32, chapter 36 or
    48 153 or as an advanced practice registered nurse under Title 32, chapter 31; or
    Sec. C-2. 22 MRSA §264, sub-§3, ¶H, as amended by PL 2025, c. 127, §2, is
further amended to read:
    H. An advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed under Title 32, chapter 31
    or a health care provider who is licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153 and who
    has experience in delivering services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or
    autism;
    Sec. C-3. 22 MRSA §264, sub-§3, ¶H-1, as corrected by RR 2025, c. 1, Pt. A,
§28, is amended to read:
    H-1. An advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed under Title 32, chapter 31
    or a health care provider who is licensed under Title 32, chapters 36 or 48 chapter 153
    and who has experience as a primary care provider;
   Sec. C-4. 22 MRSA §1241, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B, §5 and
PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    3. Health care professional. "Health care professional" means an allopathic
physician licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 48 153, an osteopathic physician licensed
pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 153, a physician associate licensed pursuant to Title 32,
chapter 36 or 48 153, an advanced practice registered nurse who has a written collaborative
agreement with a collaborating physician that authorizes the provision of sexually
transmitted disease therapy or expedited partner therapy or an advanced practice registered
nurse who possesses appropriate clinical privileges in accordance with Title 32, chapter 31.
    Sec. C-5. 22 MRSA §1502, first ¶, as amended by PL 2017, c. 407, Pt. A, §70, is
further amended to read:
    In addition to the ability to consent to treatment for health services as provided in
sections 1823 and 1908 and Title 32, sections 2595, 3292, 3817, 6221 and, 7004 and 20156,
a minor may consent to treatment for substance use disorder or for emotional or
psychological problems.
    Sec. C-6. 22 MRSA §1508, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 413, §1, is
amended to read:
    C. "Health care professional" means a person qualified by training and experience to
    provide and monitor the provision of gender-affirming hormone therapy who is
    authorized by law to prescribe medication and who is:
        (1) Licensed by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine under Title 32, chapter
        48 153; or
        (2) Licensed by the Board of Osteopathic Licensure under Title 32, chapter 36; or
  Page 36 - 132LR3058(05)
        (3) Licensed by the State Board of Nursing as an advanced practice registered
        nurse under Title 32, chapter 31.
    Sec. C-7. 22 MRSA §1531, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2019, c. 613, §1, is further
amended to read:
    1. Prophylactic ophthalmic ointment and reporting requirement. Every
physician, midwife or nurse in charge shall instill or cause to be instilled into the eyes of
an infant within 24 hours after its birth prophylactic ophthalmic ointment. If one or both
eyes of an infant become reddened or inflamed at any time within 4 weeks after birth, the
midwife, nurse or person having charge of the infant shall report the condition of the eyes
at once to the infant's primary care provider licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153.
    Sec. C-8. 22 MRSA §1596, sub-§1, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 262, §1 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    C. "Health care professional" means a physician or physician associate licensed under
    Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153 or a person licensed under Title 32, chapter 31 to practice
    as an advanced practice registered nurse.
    Sec. C-9. 22 MRSA §1597-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B,
§6 and PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended by amending subparagraph (5) to read:
        (5) A physician associate licensed by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine,
        Title 32, chapter 48 153;
    Sec. C-10. 22 MRSA §1597-A, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt.
B, §6 and PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended by amending subparagraph (6) to read:
        (6) A nurse practitioner registered by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine,
        Title 32, chapter 48 153;
    Sec. C-11. 22 MRSA §1598, sub-§1-B, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 416, §3 and
reallocated by RR 2023, c. 1, Pt. A, §8, is amended to read:
    1-B. Abortion after viability. After viability, an abortion may be performed only
when it is necessary in the professional judgment of a physician licensed pursuant to Title
32, chapter 36 or 48 153. The physician shall apply the applicable standard of care in
making a professional judgment under this subsection.
    Sec. C-12. 22 MRSA §1598, sub-§3, ¶A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 416, §4 and
PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    A. Only a person licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153 to practice in the State
    as an osteopathic or medical physician or physician associate or a person licensed under
    Title 32, chapter 31 to practice in the State as an advanced practice registered nurse
    may perform an abortion on another person. Nothing in this This paragraph limits does
    not limit the applicability of Title 32, section 3270 20104 or any other civil or criminal
    law that may apply.
    Sec. C-13. 22 MRSA §1711-C, sub-§1, ¶E, as amended by PL 1999, c. 512, Pt.
A, §5 and affected by §7 and c. 790, Pt. A, §§58 and 60, is further amended by amending
the first blocked paragraph to read:
  Page 37 - 132LR3058(05)
    "Health care information" does not include information that is created or received by a
    member of the clergy or other person using spiritual means alone for healing as
    provided in Title 32, sections 2103 and 3270 20103.
    Sec. C-14. 22 MRSA §1711-C, sub-§6, ¶A, as amended by PL 2013, c. 326, §1,
is further amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (e) to read:
  (e) A physician specializing in psychiatry licensed under the provisions of
  Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153.
    Sec. C-15. 22 MRSA §1823, first ¶, as amended by PL 2019, c. 236, §1, is further
amended to read:
    Any hospital licensed under this chapter or alcohol or drug treatment facility licensed
pursuant to section 7801 that provides facilities to a minor in connection with the
prevention of a sexually transmitted infection or the treatment of that minor for a sexually
transmitted infection or treatment of that minor for substance use or for the collection of
sexual assault evidence through a sexual assault forensic examination is not under no an
obligation to obtain the consent of that minor's parent or guardian or to inform that parent
or guardian of the provision of such facilities so, as long as such facilities have been
provided at the direction of the person or persons referred to in Title 32, sections 2595,
3292, section 3817, 6221 or, 7004 or 20156. The hospital shall notify and obtain the
consent of that minor's parent or guardian if that hospitalization continues for more than 16
hours.
    Sec. C-16. 22 MRSA §2383-B, sub-§3, ¶B-1, as enacted by IB 1999, c. 1, §8, is
amended to read:
    B-1. "Physician" means a person licensed as an osteopathic physician by the Board of
    Osteopathic Licensure pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 or a person licensed as a
    physician or surgeon by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine pursuant to Title
    32, chapter 48 153.
    Sec. C-17. 22 MRSA §2421-A, sub-§37, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. A, §3,
is amended to read:
    37. Physician. "Physician" means an individual licensed as an osteopathic physician
by the Board of Osteopathic Licensure pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36 or an individual
licensed as a physician or surgeon by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine pursuant
to Title 32, chapter 48 153 who is in good standing and who holds a valid federal Drug
Enforcement Administration license to prescribe drugs.
    Sec. C-18. 22 MRSA §2421-A, sub-§38, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. A, §3
and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    38. Physician associate. "Physician associate" means an individual licensed as a
physician associate by the Board of Osteopathic Licensure pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36
or an individual licensed as a physician associate by the Maine Board of Licensure in
Medicine pursuant to Title 32, chapter 48 153 who is in good standing and who holds a
valid federal Drug Enforcement Administration license to prescribe drugs.
    Sec. C-19. 22 MRSA §3174-III, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 708, §1 and
amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
  Page 38 - 132LR3058(05)
   1. Reimbursement. The department shall provide reimbursement under the
MaineCare program for pasteurized donor breast milk provided to an infant receiving
benefits under this chapter if a physician or physician associate licensed under Title 32,
chapter 36 or 48 153 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Title 32,
chapter 31 signs an order stating that:
    A. The infant is medically or physically unable to receive maternal breast milk or
    participate in breastfeeding or the infant's mother is medically or physically unable to
    produce maternal breast milk in quantities sufficient for the infant; and
    B. The infant:
        (1) Was born at a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams;
        (2) Has a gastrointestinal anomaly or metabolic or digestive disorder or is
        recovering from intestinal surgery and the infant's digestive needs require
        additional support;
        (3) Is not appropriately gaining weight or growing;
        (4) Has formula intolerance and is experiencing weight loss or difficulty feeding;
        (5) Has low blood sugar;
        (6) Has congenital heart disease;
        (7) Has received or will receive an organ transplant; or
        (8) Has another serious medical condition for which donor breast milk is medically
        necessary.
    Sec. C-20. 24 MRSA §2505, 2nd ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 429, §8 and PL
2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    Except for specific protocols developed by a board pursuant to Title 32, section
2596‑A, 3298 or 18323 or Title 32, section 20113, subsection 1, paragraph O, a physician
or physician associate, dentist or committee is not responsible for reporting misuse of
alcohol, drugs or other substances or professional incompetence or malpractice as a result
of physical or mental infirmity or by the misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances
discovered by the physician, physician associate, dentist or committee as a result of
participation or membership in a professional review committee or with respect to any
information acquired concerning misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances or
professional incompetence or malpractice as a result of physical or mental infirmity or by
the misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances, as long as that information is reported to
the professional review committee. This section does not prohibit an impaired physician,
physician associate or dentist from seeking alternative forms of treatment.
    Sec. C-21. 24 MRSA §2510, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2011, c. 190, §6, is further
amended to read:
    6. Disciplinary action. Disciplinary action by the Maine Board of Licensure in
Medicine is in accordance with Title 32, chapter 48; disciplinary action by the Board of
Osteopathic Licensure is in accordance with Title 32, chapter 36; 153 and disciplinary
action by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine is in accordance with Title 32, chapter
71‑A.
  Page 39 - 132LR3058(05)
    Sec. C-22. 24 MRSA §2510-A, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 697, §7, is
amended to read:
    Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, all professional competence review
records are privileged and confidential and are not subject to discovery, subpoena or other
means of legal compulsion for their release to any person or entity and are not admissible
as evidence in any civil, judicial or administrative proceeding. Information contained in
professional competence review records is not admissible at trial or deposition in the form
of testimony by an individual who participated in the written professional competence
review process. Nothing in this This section may not be read to abrogate the obligations to
report and provide information under section 2506, nor or the application of Title 32,
sections 2599 and 3296 section 20154.
    Sec. C-23. 24 MRSA §2607, first ¶, as corrected by RR 2017, c. 2, §8, is amended
to read:
     When 3 notices of professional liability claims are made within a 10-year period
regarding any person licensed by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine or the Board
of Osteopathic Licensure and one or more of the claims, following an initial review,
potentially may rise to a level of misconduct sufficient to merit board action, the board
shall treat that situation as a complaint against the licensee or practitioner and shall initiate
a review consistent with Title 32, sections 3282‑A to 3289 chapter 153, subchapter 4. Any
claims that lack merit or fail to rise to a level of board action may be dismissed by the board
for the purpose of this section.
    Sec. C-24. 24-A MRSA §4303-G, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 40, §1
and affected by §2, is amended to read:
    B. "Maintenance of certification program" means satisfactory participation in a
    program beyond the continuing medical education requirements currently in place by
    the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine or Board of Osteopathic Licensure, or initial
    board certification by a national or regional medical specialty board.
    Sec. C-25. 24-A MRSA §4303-G, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 40, §1
and affected by §2, is amended to read:
    D. "Physician" means an individual licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 153.
    Sec. C-26. 24-A MRSA §4306, first ¶, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. A, §1
and affected by §3 and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    A carrier offering or renewing a managed care plan shall allow enrollees to choose their
own primary care providers, as allowed under the managed care plan's rules, from among
the panel of participating providers made available to enrollees under the managed care
plan's rules. A carrier shall allow physicians, including, but not limited to, pediatricians
and physicians who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, and physician associates
licensed pursuant to Title 32, section 2594‑E or section 3270‑E 20125 and certified nurse
practitioners who have been approved by the State Board of Nursing to practice advanced
practice registered nursing without the supervision of a physician pursuant to Title 32,
section 2102, subsection 2‑A to serve as primary care providers for managed care plans. A
carrier is not required to contract with certified nurse practitioners, physician associates or
physicians as primary care providers in any manner that exceeds the access and provider
network standards required in this chapter or chapter 56, or any rules adopted pursuant to
  Page 40 - 132LR3058(05)
those chapters. A carrier shall allow enrollees in a managed care plan to change primary
care providers without good cause at least once annually and to change with good cause as
necessary. When an enrollee fails to choose a primary care provider, the carrier may assign
the enrollee a primary care provider located in the same geographic area in which the
enrollee resides.
    Sec. C-27. 24-A MRSA §4314, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 580, §3,
is further amended to read:
    A. "Eye care provider" means a participating provider who is an optometrist licensed
    to practice optometry pursuant to Title 32, chapter 151, or an ophthalmologist licensed
    to practice medicine pursuant to Title 32, chapter 36, 48 or 145 or 153.
    Sec. C-28. 24-A MRSA §4320-O, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. A,
§2 and affected by §3 and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
     1. Services provided by a physician associate. A carrier offering a health plan in
this State shall provide coverage for health care services performed by a physician associate
licensed under Title 32, section 2594‑E or 3270‑E 20125 when those services are covered
services under the health plan when performed by any other health care provider and when
those services are within the lawful scope of practice of the physician associate.
    Sec. C-29. 24-A MRSA §4320-V, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 229, §1 and
affected by §2 and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    1. Required coverage. A carrier offering a health plan in this State shall provide
coverage for pasteurized donor breast milk provided to an infant eligible for coverage under
the health plan if a physician or physician associate licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or
48 153 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Title 32, chapter 31 signs
an order stating that:
    A. The infant is medically or physically unable to receive maternal breast milk or
    participate in breastfeeding or the infant's parent is medically or physically unable to
    produce maternal breast milk in quantities sufficient for the infant; and
    B. The infant:
        (1) Was born at a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams;
        (2) Has a gastrointestinal anomaly or metabolic or digestive disorder or is
        recovering from intestinal surgery and the infant's digestive needs require
        additional support;
        (3) Is not appropriately gaining weight or growing;
        (4) Has formula intolerance and is experiencing weight loss or difficulty feeding;
        (5) Has low blood sugar;
        (6) Has congenital heart disease;
        (7) Has received or will receive an organ transplant; or
        (8) Has another serious medical condition for which donor breast milk is medically
        necessary.
  Page 41 - 132LR3058(05)
    Sec. C-30. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§1, ¶N, as amended by PL 2017, c. 457, §12,
is further amended to read:
    N. Who is licensed under Title 32, chapter 48 153 and has applied for an expedited
    license under Title 32, section 18506;
    Sec. C-31. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§1, ¶P, as repealed and replaced by PL 2019,
c. 399, §2 and c. 402, §2, is repealed.
    Sec. C-32. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§1, ¶DD, as enacted by PL 2025, c. 366, §2
and amended by c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    DD. Who is an applicant for licensure as a physician associate with the Maine Board
    of Osteopathic Licensure Medicine, or who is a licensed physician associate seeking a
    compact privilege, as required under Title 32, section 2594‑G 20126.
    Sec. C-33. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§1, ¶EE, as enacted by PL 2025, c. 366, §3
and amended by c. 316, §3, is repealed.
    Sec. C-34. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§3, ¶M, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 253, §3,
is amended to read:
    M. The State Police shall take or cause to be taken the fingerprints of the person named
    in subsection 1, paragraph N at the request of that person and upon payment of the
    expenses by that person as required by Title 32, section 3275‑A 20129.
    Sec. C-35. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§3, ¶O, as repealed and replaced by PL 2021,
c. 293, Pt. A, §36, is repealed.
    Sec. C-36. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§3, ¶CC, as enacted by PL 2025, c. 366, §9,
is repealed.
    Sec. C-37. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§3, ¶DD, as enacted by PL 2025, c. 366, §10,
is amended to read:
    DD. The State Police shall take or cause to be taken the fingerprints of the person
    named in subsection 1, paragraph EE DD at the request of that person or the Maine
    Board of Licensure in Medicine and upon payment of the fee by that person as required
    by Title 32, section 3270‑H 20129.
    Sec. C-38. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§4, as repealed and replaced by PL 2021, c.
293, Pt. A, §42, is amended to read:
     4. Duty to submit to State Bureau of Identification. It is the duty of the law
enforcement agency taking the fingerprints as required by subsection 3, paragraphs A, B
and G to transmit immediately to the State Bureau of Identification the criminal fingerprint
record. Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph C, D, E or F or pursuant to
subsection 5 may not be submitted to the State Bureau of Identification unless an express
request is made by the commanding officer of the State Bureau of Identification.
Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph G must be transmitted immediately
to the State Bureau of Identification to enable the bureau to conduct state and national
criminal history record checks for the Department of Education. The bureau may not use
the fingerprints for any purpose other than that provided for under Title 20‑A, section 6103.
The bureau shall retain the fingerprints, except as provided under Title 20‑A, section 6103,
subsection 9. Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph I and subsection 3,
  Page 42 - 132LR3058(05)
paragraph I must be transmitted immediately to the State Bureau of Identification to enable
the bureau to conduct state and national criminal history record checks for the court and
the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board, respectively. Fingerprints
taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph J or S must be transmitted immediately to the
State Bureau of Identification to enable the bureau to conduct state and national criminal
history record checks for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph P must be transmitted immediately
to the State Bureau of Identification to enable the bureau to conduct state and national
criminal history record checks for the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, established in Title
32, chapter 36. Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph N must be
transmitted immediately to the State Bureau of Identification to enable the bureau to
conduct state and national criminal history record checks for the Maine Board of Licensure
in Medicine, established in Title 32, chapter 48 153. Fingerprints taken pursuant to
subsection 1, paragraph Q must be transmitted immediately to the State Bureau of
Identification to enable the bureau to conduct state and national criminal history record
checks for the State Board of Nursing, established in Title 32, chapter 31. Fingerprints
taken pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph O must be transmitted immediately to the State
Bureau of Identification to enable the bureau to conduct state and national criminal history
record checks under Title 28‑B, section 204. Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1,
paragraph R, T or W must be transmitted immediately to the State Bureau of Identification
to enable the bureau to conduct state and national criminal history record checks for the
Department of Health and Human Services. Fingerprints taken pursuant to subsection 1,
paragraph V must be transmitted immediately to the State Bureau of Identification to enable
the bureau to conduct state and national criminal history record checks for the Office of the
State Auditor.
    Sec. C-39. 26 MRSA §599-A, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 513, §1, is
amended to read:
     5. Effective date of a noncompete agreement. Except for a noncompete agreement
between an employer and an allopathic physician or an osteopathic physician licensed
under Title 32, chapter 48 or chapter 36, respectively 153, the terms of a noncompete
agreement do not take effect until after one year of the employee's employment with the
employer or a period of 6 months from the date the agreement was signed, whichever is
later.
    Sec. C-40. 30-A MRSA §1559, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2001, c. 667, Pt. A,
§48, is further amended to read:
    6. Administration of medication not a violation. The administration of medication
to prisoners, as provided in this section, is not a violation of Title 32, section 2102,
subsection 2, paragraph F, or Title 32, section 3270, 20104 or any other law.
    Sec. C-41. 32 MRSA §85, sub-§7, as repealed and replaced by PL 2025, c. 70, §1,
is amended to read:
    7. Delegation. A person acting under delegated authority pursuant to chapter 36 or 48
153 may not use or be governed by a license issued pursuant to this chapter while acting
under that delegated authority, and a person acting under a license issued pursuant to this
chapter may not be governed by delegated authority or engage in any activities delegated
pursuant to chapter 36 or 48 153 while acting under a license issued pursuant to this chapter.
  Page 43 - 132LR3058(05)
    Sec. C-42. 32 MRSA §3811, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1977, c. 564, §124, is
further amended to read:
    3. Limitation. Nothing in this This chapter shall may not be construed as permitting
the practice of medicine as defined in section 3270 20102, subsection 11 by psychological
examiners or psychologists.
    Sec. C-43. 32 MRSA §3837-A, sub-§1, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. Q,
§14, is amended to read:
    D. Practice of medicine without a license to do so in violation of section 3270 chapter
    153;
    Sec. C-44. 32 MRSA §4329, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 206, §1, is amended
to read:
   This chapter does not restrict the activities of a physician or surgeon licensed under
chapter 48 153.
    Sec. C-45. 32 MRSA §9855, sub-§4, as repealed and replaced by PL 2005, c. 511,
§6 and amended by PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
     4. Limited radiographer license. For those applicants wishing to be licensed only
for the limited purpose of using ionizing radiation for imaging purposes in the office of a
licensed practitioner or for physician associates practicing under section 3270‑A 20151 or
nurses practicing under section 2102, subsection 2, paragraph C in a clinic not required to
be licensed under Title 22, chapter 405, the board shall grant a limited license and shall, in
approving a course of study, training and examination for these applicants, consider the
limited scope of practice of the various disciplines. Those aspects of study, training and
examination relating to patient safety must be identical to the requirements for a full
license.
    Sec. C-46. 32 MRSA §13786-C, first ¶, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 488, §31, is
amended to read:
    A pharmacist who dispenses opioid medication in good faith is immune from any civil
liability that might otherwise result from dispensing medication in excess of the limit
established in section 2210, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B; section 2600‑C, subsection
1, paragraphs A and B; section 3300‑F, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B; section 3657,
subsection 1, paragraphs A and B; or section 18308, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B,; or
section 20161, subsection 1, paragraphs A and B, if the medication was dispensed in
accordance with a prescription issued by a practitioner. In a proceeding regarding
immunity from liability, there is a rebuttable presumption of good faith.
    Sec. C-47. 32 MRSA §13810, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 109, §1, is
amended to read:
    2. Administration. Administer, in the course of employment, such drugs as are
approved under subsection 1 according to written protocols approved annually by the
employer's professional advisory committee, which must include a physician licensed
under chapter 36 or chapter 48 153.
    Sec. C-48. 32 MRSA §19101, sub-§25, as enacted by PL 2023, c. 580, §8, is
amended to read:
  Page 44 - 132LR3058(05)
   25. Provider. "Provider" means an individual licensed as an optometrist under this
chapter or an individual licensed as an osteopathic physician or medical doctor under
chapter 36, 48 or 145 or 153 who has also completed a residency in ophthalmology.
    Sec. C-49. 34-B MRSA §7003, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is
amended to read:
    6. Physician. "Physician" means any person licensed to practice medicine under Title
32, chapter 48, subchapter II, or under Title 32, chapter 36, subchapters II and IV 153.
    Sec. C-50. 34-B MRSA §7003, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 459, §7, is
amended to read:
    7. Psychiatrist. "Psychiatrist" means a physician licensed to practice medicine under
Title 32, chapter 48, subchapter II 153, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of
mental disorders.
    Sec. C-51. 36 MRSA §5122, sub-§2, ¶SS, as amended by PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. H,
§17 and affected by §18, is further amended to read:
    SS. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, to the extent included in
    federal adjusted gross income, student loan payments made by the taxpayer's employer
    directly to a lender on behalf of a qualified health care employee. As used in this
    paragraph, "qualified health care employee" means an individual who is employed by
    a hospital located in this State and who is licensed under Title 32, chapter 31,
    subchapter 3 or 4; chapter 36, subchapter 4; or Title 32, chapter 48 153, subchapter 2
    3.
    Sec. C-52. 36 MRSA §5219-LL, sub-§1, ¶A, as amended by PL 2015, c. 108, §1
and affected by §2, is further amended to read:
    A. "Eligible primary care professional" means a person licensed under Title 32, chapter
    31, subchapter 3 or subchapter 4; Title 32, chapter 36, subchapter 4; or Title 32, chapter
    48 153, subchapter 2 3 and who, on or after January 1, 2013:
        (1) Practices primary care medicine in the State as part of an existing health care
        practice in an underserved area or establishes a new health care practice or
        purchases an existing health care practice in an underserved area;
        (2) Agrees to practice full time for at least 5 years following certification under
        subsection 3 in an underserved area;
        (3) Is certified under subsection 3 to be eligible by the Department of Health and
        Human Services; and
        (4) Has an unpaid student loan owed to an institution for course work directly
        related to that person's training in primary care medicine.
    Sec. C-53. 37-B MRSA §185, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 2019, c. 627, Pt. B,
§21 and PL 2025, c. 316, §3, is further amended to read:
    1-A. Immunity from civil and criminal liability for collaborating or consulting
physician. Subsection 1 applies to a collaborating or consulting physician of a physician
associate under Title 32, section 2594‑F or 3270‑G 20152:
  Page 45 - 132LR3058(05)
    A. With regard to any act of the physician associate in providing services to individuals
    not on active state service;
    B. When the physician associate is on active state service in the performance of the
    physician associate's duty; and
    C. When the collaborating or consulting physician is not on active state service.
    Sec. C-54. Effective date. This Part takes effect January 1, 2027.
  PART D
    Sec. D-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
Administration - Attorney General 0310
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Assistant Attorney General positions and related costs to
handle increased hearing boards, hearing panels and disciplinary cases and hearing panels
convened simultaneously.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT  0.000  2.000
 Personal Services  $0  $410,984
 All Other  $0  $147,403
  __________       __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $0  $558,387
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS  2025-26  2026-27
  OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  $0  $558,387
  __________       __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS  $0  $558,387
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Licensure in Medicine - Board of 0376
Initiative: Provides one-time allocation for transition and implementation costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 All Other  $0  $200,000
  __________       __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $0  $200,000
Maine Board of Medicine N581
Initiative: Establishes one Assistant Executive Director position, one Consumer Assistance
Supervisor position, one Consumer Assistance Specialist position, one Physician III
position, one Comprehensive Health Planner II position, 0.5 Office Assistant I position, 5
Office Specialist II positions, one Office Specialist II position, one Secretary position, one
Secretary Associate position and one Public Service Executive III position and provides
funding for related All Other costs.
  Page 46 - 132LR3058(05)
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT  0.000  14.500
 Personal Services  $0  $865,921
 All Other  $0  $549,552
  __________        __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $0        $1,415,473
Maine Board of Medicine N581
Initiative: Establishes FTE count and Personal Services for 22 commission board members.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 POSITIONS - FTE COUNT  0.000  1.692
 Personal Services  $0  $17,125
  __________        __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $0  $17,125
Maine Board of Medicine N581
Initiative: Provides funding to reimburse the Office of the Attorney General for legal costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  2025-26  2026-27
 All Other  $0  $558,387
  __________        __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL  $0  $558,387
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL
REGULATION, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS  2025-26  2026-27
  OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  $0  $2,190,985
  __________        __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS  $0  $2,190,985
SECTION TOTALS  2025-26  2026-27
  OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS  $0  $2,749,372
  __________        __________
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS  $0  $2,749,372
  Page 47 - 132LR3058(05)