Bill
Bill > LD961
ME LD961
ME LD961An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care
summary
Introduced
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Passed
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, certified nurse practitioners are highly qualified to meet the physical and mental health care needs of patients and are uniquely positioned to assist patients; and Whereas, Maine recognizes 4 categories of nurses that may qualify to provide advanced practice registered nursing, but only certified nurse practitioners are subject to a 2-year supervision requirement; and Whereas, that supervision requirement restricts the ability of highly qualified certified nurse practitioners to practice at the highest level of their license as advanced practice registered nurses; and Whereas, this legislation authorizes the State Board of Nursing to modernize the current licensing requirements by establishing practice standards including the length of time a certified nurse practitioner must practice as an advanced practice registered nurse and any requirements for employment by a clinic or hospital that has a supervising nurse practitioner within the clinic or hospital serving in a mentorship role to a certified nurse practitioner; and Whereas, these practice standards must be adopted as soon as possible to recognize the ability of certified nurse practitioners to serve the immediate health care needs of patients; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill aims to address Maine's healthcare workforce shortage by modernizing the licensing requirements for certified nurse practitioners (CNPs), who are highly qualified to provide advanced medical care. Currently, CNPs face a mandatory two-year supervision requirement before practicing independently as advanced practice registered nurses, which limits their ability to fully utilize their skills. This legislation authorizes the State Board of Nursing to establish new practice standards, which may include the duration a CNP must practice under supervision or mentorship, and specific employment requirements within healthcare facilities. The bill also makes a technical correction to a spelling error and sets a deadline of March 15, 2026, for the Board of Nursing to submit proposed rules to the legislature for review, with a prohibition on adopting final rules before May 1, 2026, to ensure these changes can be implemented quickly to improve access to care.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
Kristi Mathieson (D)*,
Poppy Arford (D),
Michelle Boyer (D),
Stacy Brenner (D),
Annie Graham (D),
Dan Shagoury (D),
Denise Tepler (D),
Last Action
Governor's Action: Signed, Feb 17, 2026 (on 02/17/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=961&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0620&item=3&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN096103.pdf |
| House: C-A (H-785) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0620&item=2&snum=132 |
| Fiscal Note: C-A (H-785) | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN096102.pdf |
| Fiscal Note: Text | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_132nd/fiscalpdfs/FN096101.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0620&item=1&snum=132 |
Loading...