Bill > LD1204

This bill modifies existing Maine law regarding employment qualifications for direct access workers in personal care agencies by removing aggravated cultivation of marijuana as a disqualifying criminal offense. Specifically, the bill amends Section 22 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA) §9054, which previously prohibited employment for individuals with convictions related to controlled substance offenses. Under the current law, convictions for Class A, B, or C crimes involving unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of controlled substances could disqualify a person from working as a direct access worker. The new provision explicitly excludes convictions for aggravated cultivating of marijuana under Title 17-A, section 1105-D from these disqualifying offenses. This change effectively expands employment opportunities for individuals with prior marijuana cultivation convictions, recognizing potential changes in societal attitudes and marijuana laws while maintaining restrictions for more serious drug-related criminal offenses.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1204&snum=132