Maine Nurse Practitioners Association
Howe, Cahill & Company's Legislative Report
Report sorted by General Status. Updated 4/13/10 12:43:24 PM.
View report by Priority (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1299/index.htm).
View report by Committee (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1299/committee.htm).
(c) 2010 Howe, Cahill & Company, may not be reproduced without written permission.
Signed into Law
LD 1608: An Act To Establish an Office of Administrative Law Judges for Licensing Boards Web Link to LD 1608
| Description: | This bill establishes the Independent Office of Administrative Law Judges to decide cases related to licensing complaints from licensing boards under the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 191 |
| Sponsor: | Representative SMITH of Monmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDETTE of Biddeford
Representative DOSTIE of Sabattus
Representative FLAHERTY of Scarborough
Senator GOODALL of Sagadahoc
Representative HAYES of Buckfield
Representative McCABE of Skowhegan
Representative NELSON of Falmouth
Representative O'BRIEN of Lincolnville |
| Committee: | | Hearing: | Jan 21, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 26, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building
Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1672: An Act To Require a Pharmacist To Provide Prior Notification to and Obtain Consent from the Prescribing Physician before Changing from One Formulation or Manufacturer of an Antiepileptic Drug to Another Web Link to LD 1672
| Description: | This bill requires a pharmacist to notify and get consent from the prescriber of an antiepileptic drug for a patient with epilepsy if the drug is switched from one formulation or manufacturer to another. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 188 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BOWMAN of York | Cosponsors: | Representative WHEELER of Kittery |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1727: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 11: Rules Governing the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse Web Link to LD 1727
| Description: | This resolve provides for legislative review of portions of Chapter 11: Rules Governing the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, a major substantive rule of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 175 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1749: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institution Services, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Health and Human Services Web Link to LD 1749
| Description: | This resolve provides for legislative review of portions of MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institution Services, a major substantive rule of the Department of Health and Human Services. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 166 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1767: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Members with Mental Retardation or Autistic Disorder, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Health and Human Services Web Link to LD 1767
| Description: | This resolve provides for legislative review of portions of Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Members with Mental Retardation or Autistic Disorder, a major substantive rule of the Department of Health and Human Services. |
| Position: | | Status: | RESOLVE , Chapter 176 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 23, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 25, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1198: An Act To Reform Insurance Coverage To Include Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders Web Link to LD 1198
| Description: | This bill requires group health insurance policies, contracts and certificates covering fewer than 50 members to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for persons 21 years of age and under. Initially, coverage is subject to a maximum annual benefit of $36,000 per year; beginning January 1, 2011, the maximum benefit must be adjusted annually for inflation using the medical care component of the United States Department of Labor Consumer Price Index. The provisions of this bill apply to group policies, contracts and certificates issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2010. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 635 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BOWMAN of York | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Mar 30, 2009, 0930AM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 3, 2009, 0930AM, Room 427 State House
Jan 12, 2010, 0130PM, REoom 427 State House
Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House
Feb 17, 2010, 0200PM, Room 427 State House
Feb 24, 2010, 1100AM, Room 427 State House |
Pending Final Legislative Action
LD 1360: An Act To Allow Law Enforcement and Family Members To Petition the District Court To Initiate Assisted Outpatient Treatment Web Link to LD 1360
| Description: | This bill enables law enforcement or a family member of a person with a severe and persistent mental illness who is in need of assisted outpatient treatment to petition the District Court for an order that the person must participate in assisted outpatient treatment. The assisted outpatient treatment order lasts for 6 months and is renewable for an additional 12 months. The application, hearing, review and appeal process includes notice, a mental health examination, court-appointed or retained counsel, the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses and a record of the proceedings. The order to participate in assisted outpatient treatment includes within it an individualized treatment plan.
The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide community mental health services, including assignment of an assertive community treatment team, for a person who is ordered to participate in assisted outpatient treatment.
The bill requires providers of mental health services who apply for grants and contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide community mental health treatment to persons ordered by a court to participate in assisted outpatient treatment.
The bill includes as a duty of the Department of Health and Human Services, under the category |
| Position: | | Status: | MAJ: Ought to Pass as Amended, MIN: Ought to Pass as Amended |
| Sponsor: | Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin | Cosponsors: | Representative LEWIN of Eliot
Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative PIEH of Breme |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Jan 12, 2010 - 1 PM
Room 209 CSOB |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 19, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building
Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Feb 17, 2010, 0300PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
Signed into Law
LD 1464: An Act To Amend Licensing, Certification and Registration Requirements for Health Care Providers and Other Facilities Web Link to LD 1464
| Description: | This bill requires licensed, certified or registered providers to secure a criminal background check prior to hiring or placing a person who will have direct contact with a consumer. Providers will pay for the criminal background checks. Some providers are currently required by statute to obtain criminal background checks, and this bill adds several more providers, including hospitals, nursing facilities, ambulatory surgical facilities, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation, assisted housing programs, children’s homes, end-stage renal disease facilities, drug treatment centers, child placing agencies, hospice programs, agencies and facilities providing mental health services, temporary nurse agencies and nursery schools.
This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate complaints against temporary nurse agencies and provides enforcement mechanisms for violations.
This bill requires the department to use income from penalties to improve the quality of care for residents of long-term care facilities. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 621 |
| Sponsor: | Representative JONES of Mount Vernon | Cosponsors: | Representative LEWIN of Eliot |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | May 12, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | May 12, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building
Jan 7, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1542: An Act To Make Maine's Laws Consistent with the Federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Web Link to LD 1542
| Description: | This bill revises existing prohibitions on the sale of flavored tobacco products to make Maine law consistent with the new federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which bans the sale of flavored cigarettes. This bill also simplifies enforcement of the ban on flavored tobacco products. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 606 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative JONES of Mount Vernon
Senator MILLS of Somerset
Representative PETERSON of Rumford
Representative SANBORN of Gorham
Representative STUCKEY of Portland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 24, 2010, 0230PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 3, 2010, 0230PM Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 9, 2010, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1544: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing the Maine Health Data Processing Center and the Maine Health Data Organization Web Link to LD 1544
| Description: | This bill amends the laws governing the Maine Health Data Processing Center to remove the phrase "Maine Health Information Center" and replace it with "Onpoint Health Data," the new name of the organization. It modifies the composition of the Board of Directors of the Maine Health Data Processing Center.
It restructures the laws governing reports produced by the Maine Health Data Organization and removes the requirement that the organization publish a notice of the availability of these reports at least once per year in the 3 daily newspapers of the greatest general circulation published in the State.
It also clarifies what constitutes an undisputed health care claim submitted by a health care provider or health care facility to a carrier and specifies fields in the claim that must be filled. The language also stipulates that if the claim does not conform to the requirements and does not contain any one of the required fields, the provider or facility may not request payment directly from the insured and must resubmit the claim to the carrier. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 613 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | Representative MILLER of Somerville
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2010, 0200PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 10, 2010, 0200PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1572: An Act To Correct Errors in the Laws Relating to Unlicensed Practice and Other Provisions of the Professional and Occupational Licensing Laws Web Link to LD 1572
| Description: | This bill amends general provisions relating to the professional and occupational licensing programs within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing and Registration to clarify the application of those provisions to regulatory functions of the office.
The bill also corrects incorrect statutory citations to "this Title" th |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 465 |
| Sponsor: | Representative SMITH of Monmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative COHEN of Portland
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Representative SIROIS of Turner |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Jan 14, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 19, 2010, 0100PM Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1574: An Act To Amend the Rights and Liabilities of the Supervisory Physician of a Physician Assistant Web Link to LD 1574
| Description: | This bill amends the rights and liabilities of military force members to provide immunity to the supervisory physician of a physician assistant regardless of the duty status of the supervisory physician. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 587 |
| Sponsor: | Representative CAREY of Lewiston | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAULIEU of Auburn
Representative CORNELL du HOUX of Brunswick
Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Senator SULLIVAN of York
Representative VALENTINO of Saco |
| Committee: | L&VA | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 438 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 23, 2010, 0100PM, Room 438 State House |
LD 1591: An Act To Amend the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002 Concerning Right of Entry and Investigation Web Link to LD 1591
| Description: | This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to enter and inspect a health care facility or other entity subject to the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002 when the department has a reasonable basis to suspect that a violation has occurred. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 556 |
| Sponsor: | Representative MILLER of Somerville | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 17, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 24, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 3, 2010, 0130PM Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1599: An Act Regarding the Maternal and Infant Death Review Panel Web Link to LD 1599
| Description: | This bill requires health care providers to report to the maternal and infant death review panel all deaths of infants under one year of age and women during pregnancy and within 42 days of giving birth and to provide notice of the report, at the time of death or at the time of making the report, to the parent or parents or authorized representative of the deceased person. The bill repeals the ending date of January 1, 2011 of the maternal and infant death review panel. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 531 |
| Sponsor: | This bill requires health care providers to report to the maternal and infant death review panel all deaths of infants under one year of age and women during pregnancy and within 42 days of giving birth and to provide notice of the report, at the time of death or at the time of making the report, to the parent or parents or authorized representative of the deceased person. The bill repeals the ending date of January 1, 2011 of the maternal and infant death review panel. | Cosponsors: | Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative SAVIELLO of Wilton
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative STUCKEY of Portland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 10, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Feb 19, 2010, 0900AM Room 228 State House |
LD 1616: An Act To Enhance Newborn Blood Spot Screening To Conform to Federal Newborn Screening Standards Web Link to LD 1616
| Description: | This bill amends the newborn screening program law to describe conditions for which screening is available and reliable and for which treatment improves outcomes. The bill also allows the program to align with national and regional efforts in screening, treatment and evaluation consistent with the federal Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007. The department's genetics program is responsible to coordinate matters pertaining to detection, prevention and treatment of genetic conditions and metabolic disorders. The collection and sharing of data with other states involved in the same newborn blood spot screening programs will allow the department to assess the comprehensive newborn screening system's strengths and weaknesses and will promote quality assurance, quality improvement and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the newborn blood spot screening program as established by rule of the Department of Health and Human Services. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 514 |
| Sponsor: | Representative JONES of Mount Vernon | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 10, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1617: An Act Enabling Expedited Partner Therapy Web Link to LD 1617
| Description: | This bill allows a health care professional who diagnoses a patient with a sexually transmitted disease to provide prescription antibiotic drugs to that patient's sexual partner for the treatment of the sexually transmitted disease without a physical examination if in the judgment of the health care professional the partner is unlikely or unable to be seen for comprehensive health care. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 533 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais
Sponsored By: | Cosponsors: | Representative HASKELL of Portland
Representative SIROIS of Turner |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1620: An Act To Protect Health Care Consumers from Catastrophic Debt Web Link to LD 1620
| Description: | This bill prohibits health plans covering Maine residents from including provisions that terminate payment of further claims after a defined maximum specified aggregate amount of health care claims has been paid on an annual, lifetime or other basis on behalf of an individual, family or group. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 588 |
| Sponsor: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House
Feb 17, 2010, 0200PM, Room 427 State House |
Pending Final Legislative Action
LD 1654: An Act To Improve the Availability, Efficiency and Cost of Services for Infants, Young Children and Their Families Web Link to LD 1654
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill proposes to restructure the services available to infants and young children with developmental disabilities, including autism, and developmental delays. The restructured services would include supports for the families of these infants and young children. The bill would aim to improve informed choices for families and improve the coordination of services among numerous community agencies and state departments. The bill would provide a new, streamlined structure to improve identification of need and ease of accessing services and improve outcomes for infants and young children and their families and efficiency in the use of state funds. |
| Position: | | Status: | Leave To Withdraw |
| Sponsor: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Senator BOWMAN of York
Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Representative SUTHERLAND of Chapman
Representative WAGNER of Lewiston |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Jan 13, 2010, 0900AM, Room 202 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | |
Signed into Law
LD 1671: An Act to Make supplemental Appropriations and Allocations Web Link to LD 1671
| Description: | This is the 2010 Supplemental Budget. Check the state's website at
http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/afa.htm for details and times |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 571 |
| Sponsor: | Representative CAIN of Orono | Cosponsors: | Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | Jan 7, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Jan 8, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Jan 11, 2010, 1030AM, Room 228 State House
Jan 12, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Jan 13, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Jan 14, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 26, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
NAT, Part DDD, Report Backs: MAR,IFW, ACF, TRA, UTE
Jan 27, 2010, 0200PM, Room 228 State House
Report Backs: BRED, LVA, LAB, IFS
Jan 28, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Report Back EDU
Jan 29, 2010, 1000AM, Room 228 State House
TAX report back
Jan 29, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Report Back: SLG, CJPS, JUD, HHS
Feb 3, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
HHS Report Back
Feb 4, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 8, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 10, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Feb 11, 2010, 0330PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 12, 2010, 0900AM Room 228 State House
Feb 12, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 17, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Feb 19, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Mar 1, 2010, 0100PM Room 228 State House
Mar 2, 2010, 0100PM Room 228 State House
Mar 3, 2010, 0900AM Room 228 State House
Mar 4, 2010, 0100PM Room 228 State House
Mar 5, 2010, 0900AM Room 228 State House
Mar 8, 2010, 1000AM, Room 228 State House
Mar 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Mar 10, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Mar 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Mar 15, 2010, 1000AM, Room 228 State House
Mar 16, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Mar 17, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Mar 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House
Mar 19, 2010, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
Mar 22, 2010, 0100PM, Room 228 State House |
LD 1676: An Act To Protect Maine Citizens' Credit Web Link to LD 1676
| Description: | This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide that, as long as minimum payments are made to the provider of necessary medical treatment, information regarding a debt owed for necessary medical treatment provided to a consumer whose income is under 400% of the federal poverty level, or to a person to whom that consumer has a legal obligation to provide support, may not be furnished to a credit reporting agency by a debt collector or by the medical entity that provided the necessary medical treatment. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 526 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative LEGG of Kennebunk
Representative TREAT of Hallowell |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Feb 3, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House
Feb 10, 2010, 0130PM, Room 427 State House |
LD 1677: An Act To Protect Minors from Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices Web Link to LD 1677
| Description: | This bill prohibits the collection and use of personal information collected on the Internet from a minor who is at least 13 years of age and under 17 years of age for the purposes of pharmaceutical marketing in violation of rules adopted by the Attorney General. The bill requires the Attorney General to adopt rules consistent with the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 United States Code, Sections 6501 to 6506 (2007) and 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 312 (1999), which regulates the collection and use of personal information from children under 13 years of age on the Internet.
The rules, which are routine technical rules, must define "pharmaceutical marketing" in a manner that includes the business of advertising or otherwise promoting the sale of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and ensures the adequate protection of the health and safety of minors who are at least 13 years of age and under 17 years of age. The bill establishes that a violation is an unfair trade practice as prohibited by the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 560 |
| Sponsor: | Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot | Cosponsors: | Representative CLEARY of Houlton
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative SMITH of Monmouth
Representative TREAT of Hallowell |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | Mar 4, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building
Mar 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1688: An Act To Update the Laws Affecting the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services Web Link to LD 1688
| Description: | This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to charge a processing fee when a licensed, certified or registered facility, health care provider or program must have a license, certificate or registration reissued by the department because the licensee, certificate holder or registration holder made changes that require the reissuance of the license, certificate or registration.
The bill authorizes the department to establish an annual registration fee for temporary nurse agencies and to increase the initial and renewal licensing fees for nursery schools, not to exceed $40.
The bill also authorizes the department to charge certain providers a transaction fee to renew licenses electronically. It authorizes the department to charge a verification fee to providers to check a certified nursing assistant's credentials and training history. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 590 |
| Sponsor: | Representative MILLER of Somerville | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 17, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 3, 2010, 0130PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1702: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Web Link to LD 1702
| Description: | This bill repeals a provision in the laws governing registered nurses relating to delegated medical procedures that are already within the scope of practice of certain advanced practice registered nurses. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 512 |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | Representative WHEELER of Kittery |
| Committee: | BRED | Hearing: | Jan 28, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
LD 1704: An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding Authority over and Oversight of Certified Nursing Assistant Educational Programs Web Link to LD 1704
| Description: | This bill transfers the responsibility for approving the curriculum for and certificates granted to activities coordinators in long-term care facilities from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill also transfers the responsibility and authority for the approval and monitoring of nursing assistant training curricula, faculty and certification programs and the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill also transfers the authority to assess fees for certification of nursing assistants, for the competency testing of nursing assistants and for validation of test results to determine eligibility for certification and charge fees for certificates issued and duplicated for out-of-state vocational reciprocity, renewal of certificates and replacement of certificates from the Commissioner of Education to the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. The bill also increases the fees charged for competency testing and the letter of verification of completion of a certified nursing assistant program. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 628 |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative NELSON of Falmouth
Representative PIEH of Bremen
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Representative ROTUNDO of Lewiston
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Representative SUTHERLAND of Chapman |
| Committee: | E&CA | Hearing: | Jan 26, 2010, 0100PM, Cross Building Room 202 |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 5, 2010, 0900AM, Room 202 Cross Building
Feb 18, 2010, 0200PM, Room 202 Cross Building |
LD 1709: An Act Concerning the Use of Long-term Antibiotics for the Treatment of Lyme Disease Web Link to LD 1709
| Description: | Part A of the bill requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for long-term antibiotic therapy for patients with Lyme disease in all individual and group health insurance policies. The health insurance provisions apply to all policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2011.
Part B of the bill provides protection from a licensing disciplinary action for physicians that prescribe, administer or dispense long-term antibiotic therapy to patients with Lyme disease. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 494 |
| Sponsor: | Representative LEGG of Kennebunk | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDETTE of Biddeford
Representative BERRY of Bowdoinham
Representative BOLAND of Sanford
Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative CONNOR of Kennebunk |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Jan 27, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 2, 2010, 0200PM, Room 427 State House
Feb 3, 2010, 1230PM, Room 427, State House |
Pending Final Legislative Action
LD 1769: An Act To Extend Access to Federal Health Insurance Premium Assistance Web Link to LD 1769
| Description: | The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided help to people who lost their jobs from September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 by paying 65% of their so-called COBRA health insurance coverage for a period of 9 months from the time they were terminated. Public Law 2009, chapter 244, Part J provided a 2nd election period for certain workers who had declined coverage referred to as Mini-COBRA coverage before the federal subsidies were available. The United States Congress recently passed an extension of the COBRA coverage provisions, extending the job termination date for eligibility for the subsidies from December 31, 2009 to February 28, 2010 and the COBRA 65% assistance from 9 months to 15 months. This bill extends the coverage period consistent with federal law for those workers who enrolled in Mini-COBRA during the 2nd election period. |
| Position: | | Status: | P & S Law, Chapter 39 |
| Sponsor: | Representative TREAT of Hallowell | Cosponsors: | Senator BOWMAN of York |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Feb 24, 2010, 0100PM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 2, 2010, 1230PM, Room 427 Sate House |
Signed into Law
LD 1811: An Act To Amend the Maine Medical Marijuana Act Web Link to LD 1811
| Description: | This bill amends the statutes enacted by Initiated Bill 2009, chapter 1, which allows a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as suffering from certain medical conditions to possess marijuana for medical use. It reflects the recommendations of the Committee on the Implementation of the Maine Medical Marijuana Act and the Criminal Law Advisory Commission. It also clarifies many of the provisions of the statutes, clarifies the process to add new debilitating conditions and conforms the language of the statutes to other Maine laws. It also applies retroactively to December 23, 2009, the effective date of the initiated bill. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 631 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Representative HASKELL of Portland
Representative PERRY of Calais |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Mar 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 16, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 17, 2010, 0230PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1811: An Act To Amend the Maine Medical Marijuana Act Web Link to LD 1811
| Description: | This bill amends the statutes enacted by Initiated Bill 2009, chapter 1, which allows a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as suffering from certain medical conditions to possess marijuana for medical use. It reflects the recommendations of the Committee on the Implementation of the Maine Medical Marijuana Act and the Criminal Law Advisory Commission. It also clarifies many of the provisions of the statutes, clarifies the process to add new debilitating conditions and conforms the language of the statutes to other Maine laws. It also applies retroactively to December 23, 2009, the effective date of the initiated bill. |
| Position: | | Status: | PUBLIC Law, Chapter 631 |
| Sponsor: | Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Representative HASKELL of Portland
Representative PERRY of Calais |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Mar 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 16, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 17, 2010, 0230PM, Room 209 Cross Building
Mar 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
Not Enacted
LD 257: An Act To Establish the Health Technology Clinical Committee Web Link to LD 257
| Description: | This bill requires the Maine Quality Forum to establish a health technology assessment program to make determinations as to which health technologies and health care services will be included as covered benefits in publicly funded health care plans. The bill establishes the Health Technology Clinical Committee, a 5-member committee of health care providers, to conduct the assessments and make the coverage determinations based on reviews of scientific evidence. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative PRIEST of Brunswick | Cosponsors: | Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford
Representative BECK of Waterville
Senator BOWMAN of York
Representative FOSSEL of Alna
Representative GOODE of Bangor
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative PERRY of Calais
Representative TREAT of Hallowell |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2009, 0930AM, Room 427 State House |
| | | Work Session: | May 8, 2009, 0930AM Room 427 State House
Jan 13, 2010, 1000AM, Room 427 State House |
LD 757: An Act To Improve the Transparency of Certain Hospitals Web Link to LD 757
| Description: | This bill makes medical organizations that receive over $250,000 annually in public funds for medical services subject to the freedom of access laws. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative GOODE of Bangor | Cosponsors: | Representative BUTTERFIELD of Bangor
Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative CHASE of Wells
Representative HINCK of Portland
Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls
Representative O'BRIEN of Lincolnville
Senator PERRY of Penobscot
Representative ROSEN of Bucksport
Representative SANBORN of Gorham |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 7, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Bilding |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 9, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building
Jan 14, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 821: An Act To Support Collection and Proper Disposal of Unwanted Drugs Web Link to LD 821
| Description: | This bill establishes a system to collect and safely dispose of unwanted drugs from households and other residential sources. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative PERRY of Calais | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland
Representative BEAUDOIN of Biddeford
Representative CASAVANT of Biddeford
Representative DUCHESNE of Hudson
Representative EBERLE of South Portland
Senator GOODALL of Sagadahoc
Representative JONES of Mount Vernon
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 14, 2009, 0100PM Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Apr 30, 2009, 0200PM Room 209 Cross Office Building
Jan 19, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
LD 1262: An Act To Restrict Gifts to Health Care Practitioners from Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturers Web Link to LD 1262
| Description: | This bill:
1. Prohibits most gifts and payments to health care practitioners from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers;
2. Includes medical devices in the definition of "prescription drug" for the purposes of requirements involving a pharmaceutical manufacturer's giving of gifts to health care practitioners and reporting marketing expenses;
3. Establishes requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturers' giving sample products to health care practitioners;
4. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report a pharmaceutical manufacturer's gifts and payments per health care practitioner instead of in the aggregate;
5. Limits the confidentiality of pharmaceutical manufacturers' reporting information to trade information protected by state and federal law;
6. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to post the department's annual report regarding a pharmaceutical manufacturer's marketing expenses on a publicly accessible portion of the department's website; and
7. Allows the Department of Health and Human Services to raise the fees of pharmaceutical manufacturers to cover reasonable costs of the department. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative TREAT of Hallowell | Cosponsors: | Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake
Representative MILLER of Somerville
Representative PERCY of Phippsburg
Representative PERRY of Calais
Senator SIMPSON of Androscoggin
Representative STUCKEY of Portland
Representative WEBSTER of Freeport |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
LD 1281: An Act To Increase the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Licensing Behavioral Health Care Providers Web Link to LD 1281
| Description: | The purpose of this bill is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of licensing behavioral health providers by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to approve and license substance abuse treatment, child and adult welfare and behavioral health agencies, programs and facilities that receive and maintain accreditation by nationally recognized accrediting bodies. The department shall include such an agency, program or facility on any list of approved and licensed agencies, programs and facilities maintained by the department. Notwithstanding an agency’s, program's or facility’s maintenance of accreditation, the department may revoke the certificate of approval and remove a treatment program or facility from the department’s list of approved programs and facilities for failure to provide data, statistics, schedules and other information reasonably required by the department pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 20024. All agencies, programs and facilities may have approval and licensing revoked or modified by the department for findings resulting from the investigation of a critical incident. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator MILLS of Somerset | Cosponsors: | Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative JONES of Mount Vernon
Representative JOY of Crystal
Representative PETERSON of Rumford
Representative SANBORN of Gorham
Representative STUCKEY of Portland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | May 6, 2009, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Office Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 14, 2010 - 1 PM
Room 209 CSOB
Jan 14, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1600: Resolve, To Allow for the Proper Disposal of Medical Supplies Web Link to LD 1600
| Description: | This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish by rule a program to allow consumers to safely dispose of medical supplies, including, but not limited to, syringes and diabetic test supplies. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec | Cosponsors: | Representative CAMPBELL of Newfield
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative STUCKEY of Portland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 18, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 3, 2010, 0230PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1615: An Act To Reimburse Pharmacies under the MaineCare Program Based on Wholesale Acquisition Costs Web Link to LD 1615
| Description: | This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse pharmacies for dispensing covered brand name and generic drugs under the MaineCare program based on a formula that includes calculated wholesale acquisition cost plus 6.7% and a dispensing fee of $3.35 per prescription and allows the department to adopt routine technical rules. The formula applies to drugs dispensed under the MaineCare program on or after September 26, 2009. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative LEWIN of Eliot | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative CURTIS of Madison
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative JOHNSON of Greenville
Speaker PINGREE of North Haven
Senator RAYE of Washington
Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative SYKES of Harrison |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 9, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 11, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1687: Resolve, To Define High-risk Populations for the Purposes of Hospital Surveillance for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and To Implement Public Law 2009, chapter 346 Web Link to LD 1687
| Description: | This resolve defines high-risk populations for Maine hospitals to screen for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, to facilitate implementation of Public Law 2009, chapter 346. In addition, this resolve requires that hospitals report positive test results to the Maine Health Data Organization and the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Representative GOODE of Bangor | Cosponsors: | Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative MARTIN of Orono
Representative STEVENS of Bangor
Representative STUCKEY of Portland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 17, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Mar 3, 2010, 0130PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
LD 1761: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Create a New Electronic Medical Records Infrastructure Web Link to LD 1761
| Description: | The funds provided by this bond issue, in the amount of $10,000,000, will be used to purchase the software and the hardware necessary for health care providers to exchange patients' health care records electronically. |
| Position: | | Status: | DEAD |
| Sponsor: | Senator MARRACHÉ of Kennebec | Cosponsors: | Senator BARTLETT of Cumberland |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | Feb 23, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Feb 25, 2010, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |