Maine Nurse Practitioners Association
Howe, Cahill & Company's Legislative Report
Report sorted by Committee. Updated 2/3/2012 2:22:10 PM.
View report by Priority (http://howeandcompany.com/legisweb/1299/index.htm).
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(c) 2012 Howe, Cahill & Company, may not be reproduced without written permission.
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Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee:
LD 1746: An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government and To Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013 Web Link to LD 1746
| Description: | Please see the following address for a description:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/SP060001.asp |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator ROSEN of Hancock | Cosponsors: | Representative FLOOD of Winthrop |
| Committee: | A&FA | Hearing: | * Dec 14, 2011, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
* Dec 15, 2011, 0900AM, Room 228 State House
* Dec 16, 2011, 0900AM, Room 228 State House |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 20, 2012, 1000AM, Room 228 State House |
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee:
LD 1731: An Act To Rescue Children Who Are Being Sexually Abused and To Make Improvements to the Sex Offender Registry and the Investigation of Computer Crimes Web Link to LD 1731
| Description: | This bill creates the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2012, which is applicable to persons sentenced on or after September 1, 2012. The Act maintains registration and notification provisions but adds to these processes a tiering system and the development and application of risk assessment. The new Act's purpose continues to be to protect the public from potentially dangerous registrants and offenders by enhancing access to information concerning registrants and offenders.
Offenders are classified by offense as Tier I, Tier II or Tier III offenders and must register for 10 years, for 25 years or for life, respectively.
The bill adopts the same penalties for failure to comply with requirements of registration and adopts the same notification process as exists in the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 1999.
Part B eliminates the computer crimes unit program in the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police and instead establishes the Maine Computer Crimes Unit within the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police. The new Maine Computer Crimes Unit is given all the investigative and enforcement powers of the Bureau of State Police and is required to report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice matters.
Part C increases by one class of crime, for all those offenses that are not currently Class A crimes, the penalty for the crimes of sexual exploitation of a minor, dissemination of sexually explicit material and possession of sexually explicit material.
Part D requires the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification to include on the sex offender registry website a description of the sexual assaults that are prohibited by the Maine Criminal Code and the punishment for those crimes.
Part E amends the crime of aggravated promotion of prostitution to provide other examples of behavior engaged in or actions taken, such as confiscating a person's passport or threatening to have a person deported, for the purpose of compelling that person to engage in or continue to engage in prostitution. The purpose of these additional examples is to ensure that the statute prohibits so-called sex trafficking. Aggravated promotion of prostitution is a Class B crime. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Senator GERZOFSKY of Cumberland
Representative HASKELL of Portland
Senator MASON of Androscoggin
Speaker NUTTING of Oakland
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
Representative PLUMMER of Windham |
| Committee: | CJ | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | |
Environmental and Natural Resources Committee:
LD 1412: An Act To Promote the Proper Disposal of Used Medical Sharps Web Link to LD 1412
| Description: | This bill requires a manufacturer of medical sharps to participate in a program, individually or in conjunction with other manufacturers, for the collection, handling, transportation, treatment and disposal of unwanted medical sharps. It also provides that an entity that uses medical sharps is not required to dispose of them by shredding. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 17, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Representative INNES of Yarmouth | Cosponsors: | Representative CHIPMAN of Portland
Representative DUCHESNE of Hudson
Representative RUSSELL of Portland
Representative SANBORN of Gorham |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | * Apr 29, 2011, 0900AM, Cross Building Room 216 |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1646: An Act To Facilitate the Use of Alternative Methods for Biomedical Waste Treatment and Disposal Web Link to LD 1646
| Description: | This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to establish by rule approved alternative treatment processes for the treatment and disposal of biomedical waste for use by medical facilities. The rules must include disposal standards and may not require a medical facility to obtain a biomedical waste treatment facility license for treating its own biomedical waste. The bill also provides that the Department of Environmental Protection adopts the rules regarding handling and disposal of biomedical waste, consistent with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 341-H. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 18, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Senator SAVIELLO of Franklin | Cosponsors: | Senator DILL of Cumberland |
| Committee: | ENR | Hearing: | Jan 18, 2012, 0900AM, Room 216, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Health and Human Services Committee:
LD 612: An Act To Provide Reimbursement for Medication Therapy Management Services Web Link to LD 612
| Description: | This bill creates a category of pharmacy services, designated as medication therapy management services, for which pharmacists may charge separately from a charge for the prescription drug or a dispensing fee. The bill defines "medication therapy management services," "qualified pharmacist" and "targeted patient." The bill authorizes the MaineCare program to reimburse for these services if they are found by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to be cost-effective. The bill requires health insurance carriers to pay for medication therapy management services to targeted patients by qualified pharmacists if the carrier provides coverage for prescription drugs. This bill requires an evaluation by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services of the effect of medication therapy management services by January 1, 2017 and establishes the Medication Therapy Management Advisory Committee to advise the Superintendent of Insurance within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation on implementation of medication therapy management services. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Senator RECTOR of Knox | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Representative FITTS of Pittsfield
Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec
Speaker NUTTING of Oakland
Representative PETERSON of Rumford
President RAYE of Washington
Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | * May 4, 2011, 0900AM, 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 646: An Act To Ensure the Safety of Children in the MaineCare Program Who Are Prescribed Antipsychotic Medications Web Link to LD 646
| Description: | This bill provides specific requirements for the provision of antipsychotic medications to children in the MaineCare program. It provides for uses approved and for uses not approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. It provides for documentation in the child's health care record and for monitoring for effectiveness and side effects. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt routine technical rules to implement the new requirements. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 24, 2012, Ought Not to Pass |
| Sponsor: | Representative WELSH of Rockport | Cosponsors: | Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Representative KRUGER of Thomaston
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Apr 25, 2011, 0900AM, 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 897: An Act To Amend the Application Process for the Progressive Treatment Program Web Link to LD 897
| Description: | Current law limits who may obtain an order from the District Court to admit a patient to a progressive treatment program. This bill allows a health officer, law enforcement officer or any other person to obtain the order. The bill also requires that when an examiner forms an opinion it must be based on history as well as personal observation. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 25, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Senator HILL of York | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | * Apr 29, 2011, 0900AM, 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 936: An Act To Conform Maine Menu Labeling Laws to Federal Standards Web Link to LD 936
| Description: | This bill repeals provisions of law regarding menu labeling that have been preempted by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111148, Section 4205(2010), which creates a uniform national approach to nutrition labeling for restaurant menus with a primary focus on calorie content. The bill retains the current statutory definition of "chain restaurant" and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt major substantive rules to locally enforce the provisions of 21 United States Code, Section 343(2010). |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | * Apr 27, 2011, 0115PM, 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1364: An Act To Improve the Quality and Reduce the Cost of Health Care Web Link to LD 1364
| Description: | This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate the purchase of prescription drugs for MaineCare members through certain organizations eligible for prescription drug discounts under the federal Public Health Service Act, referred to as "340B covered entities," in order for the MaineCare program to negotiate the lowest possible prices and avoid retail markup beginning January 1, 2012. The bill provides a mechanism to calculate savings from establishing the 340B program and distribute the savings among 340B covered entities. The bill provides for routine technical rulemaking as required to implement the provisions of the bill. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Representative FITTS of Pittsfield | Cosponsors: | Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Representative CAIN of Orono
Representative CUSHING of Hampden
Representative FOSTER of Augusta
Senator PLOWMAN of Penobscot
President RAYE of Washington
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Representative WINTLE of Garland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | May 4, 2011, 0900AM, 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1624: An Act To Lessen the Regulatory Burden on Medical Laboratories by Removing Outdated Requirements from the Maine Medical Laboratory Act Web Link to LD 1624
| Description: | This bill amends the Maine Medical Laboratory Act as follows:
1. It removes the requirement that an application for a medical laboratory license be notarized. Other licensing laws do not have this requirement;
2. It removes a provision that allows the technical personnel of a licensed medical laboratory to collect certain specimens. Eliminating this provision provides that no person other than a licensed physician or a person authorized by law is allowed to manipulate a person for the collection of specimens or process or submit or act as an agent for the transmittal of specimens; and
3. It removes the requirement that a licensed medical laboratory send a copy of an itemized statement of laboratory services to the patient. Current practice is to send the itemized statement to the insurance company, the laboratory’s client or the patient. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec | Cosponsors: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | * Jan 26, 2012, 0100PM, Room 209, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1626: An Act To Clarify the Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services To Impose Administrative Sanctions upon Vendors, Providers and Participants in the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Food Program Web Link to LD 1626
| Description: | This bill clarifies that the Department of Health and Human Services has the authority to impose fines or penalties upon Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Food Program vendors, disqualify local agency providers and require repayment from participants or disqualify participants from program benefits for violation of program laws or rules. This authority is consistent with federal statutes and regulations. The department is required to adopt routine technical rules to define prohibited conduct and to establish penalties for such conduct. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec | Cosponsors: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Jan 26, 2012, 0100PM, Room 209, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1679: An Act To Conform Maine's Prescription Drug Privacy Laws with the United States Constitution Web Link to LD 1679
| Description: | This bill repeals provisions of Maine's laws providing confidentiality for certain prescription drug information relating to prescribers to conform state law to the United States Supreme Court decision in Sorrell v. IMS Health Inc., 131 S. Ct. 2653 (2011), which held unconstitutional similar provisions in the laws of Vermont. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 1, 2012, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1688: An Act To Clarify the Status of Patients Held under Involuntary Commitment Applications Web Link to LD 1688
| Description: | This bill clarifies that an application for involuntary commitment, also known as a "blue paper," or the subsequent review and endorsement of that application by a judge or justice, is not a judicial determination of commitment. Under current law, a judicial determination of commitment requires an examination of the person who is the subject of the involuntary commitment and a judicial hearing. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative MOULTON of York | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 1, 2012, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1692: An Act To Clarify Case Management Supervision Authority and Ensure Access to Case Management Services Web Link to LD 1692
| Description: | This bill ensures continuation of federal financial participation under the MaineCare program by clarifying the authority of certain licensed professionals to provide and supervise the provision of case management services under the program. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative EVES of North Berwick | Cosponsors: | Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Representative FOSSEL of Alna
Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick
Representative PETERSON of Rumford
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Jan 31, 2012, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1694: Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Review Rules Governing Reimbursement to MaineCare Recipients for Transportation to Freestanding Methadone Clinics Web Link to LD 1694
| Description: | This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to review reimbursement to MaineCare recipients for transportation to freestanding methadone clinics and to adopt rules to ensure uniformity in reimbursement throughout the State and reduce the incidence of fraud. The department is directed to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by December 15, 2012. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative BURNS of Whiting | Cosponsors: | Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative HANLEY of Gardiner
Senator LANGLEY of Hancock
Senator MASON of Androscoggin
President RAYE of Washington
Senator THOMAS of Somerset
Representative VOLK of Scarborough
Representative WILLETTE of Mapleton |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Jan 31, 2012, 0100PM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1700: An Act To Provide an Alternative Method of Calculating Minimum Staffing Levels in Nursing Homes Web Link to LD 1700
| Description: | Currently, nursing home staffing ratios are calculated based on individual 8-hour shifts. This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop alternative staffing ratios that encourage person-centered care, increase quality and improve efficiency by developing a standard calculated over a 24-hour period. Nursing homes would still ultimately be required to staff according to residents' needs.
The bill directs the department to convene a working group to develop such a standard and to invite the participation of representatives of the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Maine Health Care Association, LeadingAge of Maine and New Hampshire, the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter and other interested stakeholders. The bill provides that amendments to the licensing rules are major substantive rules. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Senator FARNHAM of Penobscot
Representative FOSSEL of Alna
Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec
Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick
Representative SANBORN of Gorham
Representative SANDERSON of Chelsea
Representative SIROCKI of Scarborough |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | Feb 1, 2012, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1714: An Act To Restrict Further the Amount of Methamphetamine Precursors That May Be Bought or Sold Web Link to LD 1714
| Description: | This bill amends the current restrictions on the sale of a targeted methamphetamine precursor to limit sales to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per 30 days. It also places the same restrictions on purchases.
The bill requires a purchaser to present a valid identification to the retailer and requires the retailer to record the name and address of the purchaser, the name and quantity of targeted methamphetamine precursor purchased, the date and time of the purchase and the form of identification presented. The retailer is required to maintain a logbook, and the purchaser must sign the logbook. The bill makes it a Class E crime to sell more than 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per 30 days of a targeted methamphetamine precursor.
The bill requires beginning January 1, 2013 a retailer to, before completing a sale, electronically submit information about the sale and the person purchasing a targeted methamphetamine precursor to a real-time electronic logging system that tracks sales of over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing a targeted methamphetamine precursor.
The bill provides that a retailer is immune from any civil liability if the sale was made in good faith.
The bill provides that the law regarding targeted methamphetamine precursors supersedes any local, municipal or county ordinance regulating sales of cold and allergy medications containing a targeted methamphetamine precursor.
The bill also requires the Maine Board of Pharmacy to select a real-time electronic logging system and by December 1, 2012 to notify retailers of the system. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | : Representative WILLETTE of Mapleton | Cosponsors: | : Representative BURNS of Whiting
Representative COTTA of China
Representative DAVIS of Sangerville
Representative FREDETTE of Newport
Senator MASON of Androscoggin
Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec
Representative SANDERSON of Chelsea
Representative TIMBERLAKE of Turner
Representative WALLACE of Dexter |
| Committee: | HHS | Hearing: | * Feb 1, 2012, 0900AM, Room 209 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Insurance and Financial Services Committee:
LD 882: An Act To Limit Health Care Mandates Web Link to LD 882
| Description: | This bill prohibits carriers from offering a health plan in this State on or after January 1, 2014 that exceeds the minimum essential benefits package determined in accordance with federal law.
The bill also requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to evaluate the minimum essential benefits package to be determined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in comparison to existing mandated health insurance benefits required by state law. The bill directs the bureau to determine which mandated benefits are not included in the federal minimum essential benefits package and develop proposed legislation to eliminate those mandated benefits in state law. The bureau must submit its report within 3 months of the adoption of the minimum essential benefits package. The bill authorizes the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters to report out a bill based on the report to the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over VOTED, Jan 18, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative RICHARDSON of Warren | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | * May 3, 2011, 0100PM, Room 220, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | Jan 18, 2012, 1000AM, Room 220 Cross Building |
LD 1497: An Act To Comply with the Health Insurance Exchange Provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Web Link to LD 1497
| Description: | This bill establishes the Maine Health Benefit Exchange pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The exchange is established as authorized by federal law to facilitate the purchase of health care coverage by individuals and small businesses. The bill requires coverage to be available through the exchange no later than January 1, 2014. The bill authorizes the use of an assessment or user fee on health insurance carriers to support the operations of the exchange. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Representative McKANE of Newcastle | Cosponsors: | Representative FITZPATRICK of Houlton
Representative MORISSETTE of Winslow
Representative PICCHIOTTI of Fairfield
Representative RICHARDSON of Warren
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Senator WHITTEMORE of Somerset |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | May 10, 2011, 0100PM, Room 220, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1498: An Act To Phase Out Dirigo Health and Establish the Maine Health Benefit Exchange for Small Businesses and Individuals Web Link to LD 1498
| Description: | This bill repeals Dirigo Health effective January 1, 2014 and, in its place, establishes the Maine Health Benefit Exchange. The exchange is established as authorized by federal law to facilitate the purchase of health care coverage by individuals and small businesses. The bill requires coverage to be available through the exchange no later than January 1, 2014. Coverage of individuals and small businesses under the current Dirigo Health program will end on January 1, 2014 as coverage will transition to the exchange. The bill retains the Maine Quality Forum established within the Dirigo Health program and transfers its oversight to the exchange. The bill requires health insurance carriers and 3rd-party administrators to pay an access payment on paid claims to support the operations of the exchange.
The bill makes changes to the Maine Insurance Code to preserve the authority of the Superintendent of Insurance to enforce the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill also clarifies that the Superintendent of Insurance has oversight over health insurance plans offered through the Maine Health Benefit Exchange.
The bill also requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to evaluate the minimum essential benefits package to be determined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in comparison to existing mandated health insurance benefits required by state law. The bill directs the Bureau of Insurance to determine the projected cost impact of maintaining mandated benefits not included in the essential benefits package in qualified health plans made available through the exchange. The bureau must submit its report within 3 months of the adoption of the minimum essential benefits package. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over |
| Sponsor: | Representative TREAT of Hallowell | Cosponsors: | Senator ALFOND of Cumberland
Senator BRANNIGAN of Cumberland
Representative CAIN of Orono
Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Representative EVES of North Berwick
Representative FLEMINGS of Bar Harbor
Representative GRAHAM of North Yarmouth
Representative KUMIEGA of Deer Isle
Representative SANBORN of Gorham |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | May 10, 2011, 0100PM, Room 220, Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1691: An Act Related to Specialty Tiers in Prescription Medication Pricing Web Link to LD 1691
| Description: | This bill provides that a health plan covering prescription drugs may not require cost sharing, deductibles or coinsurance obligations for prescription drugs that exceed the dollar amount for nonpreferred brand drugs or for brand drugs if there is no nonpreferred brand drug category. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative FITTS of Pittsfield | Cosponsors: | |
| Committee: | IFS | Hearing: | Jan 25, 2012, 0100PM, Room 220 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Judiciary Committee:
LD 1796: An Act Relating to False Claims under the Medicaid Program Web Link to LD 1796
| Description: | This bill enacts the MaineCare False Claims Act in order to protect the State and the Federal Government against false and fraudulent claims under the Medicaid program, known in the State as the MaineCare program. This bill provides authorization for qui tam actions, which are brought by a person for the benefit of the person and the State in the name of the State. This bill provides protection from discrimination for an employee who participates in a qui tam action. This bill provides possible recoveries for the person who brings the qui tam action in addition to recoveries for the State. This bill establishes the MaineCare False Claims Act Fund to receive the proceeds payable to the State as a result of false claims litigation to be used for investigatory, enforcement and litigation expenses. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative GIFFORD of Lincoln | Cosponsors: | Representative BLACK of Wilton
Representative CRAY of Palmyra
Representative LIBBY of Waterboro
Representative McFADDEN of Dennysville
Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick
Representative SIROCKI of Scarborough
Senator THOMAS of Somerset
Representative TURNER of Burlington |
| Committee: | Judic | Hearing: | |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee:
LD 1638: An Act To Enhance the Duties and Responsibilities of the Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened Web Link to LD 1638
| Description: | This bill clarifies that the Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened has oversight of vocational rehabilitation counselors who work in the Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services's division of vocational rehabilitation and serve deaf, hard-of-hearing and late-deafened persons. The bill also removes language that provides that the Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services appoints the Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative GILBERT of Jay | Cosponsors: | : Representative AYOTTE of Caswell
Representative BLODGETT of Augusta
Representative CHIPMAN of Portland
Representative CLARK of Millinocket
Representative O'BRIEN of Lincolnville
Representative WALLACE of Dexter |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | Jan 25, 2012, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1715: An Act To Allow for Timely Access to and Enhanced Administration of All Vaccines Web Link to LD 1715
| Description: | This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing the administration of vaccines by licensed pharmacists:
1. It broadens the scope of vaccines that a licensed pharmacist may administer to a person 18 years of age or older to allow for the administration of any vaccines licensed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration; and
2. It requires one-time approval from the Maine Board of Pharmacy of a pharmacist's or pharmacy's plan of operation for vaccine administration clinics and requires the board to adopt by rule criteria for the approval of such clinics. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | Representative CUSHING of Hampden
Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland
Representative FOSSEL of Alna
Senator MARTIN of Kennebec
Representative MOULTON of York
Speaker NUTTING of Oakland
Senator RECTOR of Knox
Representative VOLK of Scarborough
Representative WALLACE of Dexter |
| Committee: | LCRED | Hearing: | * Jan 17, 2012, 0100PM, Room 208 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
State and Local Government Committee:
LD 543: An Act To Protect Legislative Intent in Rulemaking Web Link to LD 543
| Description: | This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.
This bill requires the review of agency rule-making authority and establishes clearer distinctions between major substantive rules and routine technical rules to ensure that legislative grants of rule-making authority are clear and specific enough to not result in agency misunderstanding of legislative intent or overly broad construction of the grant of rule-making authority. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 9, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative PRESCOTT of Topsham | Cosponsors: | cosonsors listed at the following location::
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280039724 |
| Committee: | S&LG | Hearing: | Apr 27, 2011, 0100PM, Room 214 Cross Building |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
Taxation Committee:
LD 1225: An Act To Create an Income Tax Return Checkoff To Fund Cancer Screening, Detection and Prevention Web Link to LD 1225
| Description: | This bill creates a checkoff on the income tax form to allow tax filers to donate to the Comprehensive Cancer Screening, Detection and Prevention Fund for funding the cancer prevention and control program. |
| Position: | | Status: | Carried Over Latest Committee Action:VOTED, Jan 5, 2012, Ant. Div. Rep. |
| Sponsor: | Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland | Cosponsors: | co sponsors listed at the following location:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280040800 |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | * Apr 27, 2011, 0100PM, 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |
LD 1641: An Act To Ensure Equal Tax Treatment for Private-pay and MaineCare-participating Providers of Residential Care to Persons Who Are Elderly or Disabled Web Link to LD 1641
| Description: | This bill excludes from the service provider tax private nonmedical institutions that provide services reimbursed under MaineCare for persons who are elderly or disabled without specializing in a particular diagnosis. |
| Position: | | Status: | Pending Final Action |
| Sponsor: | Representative HARMON of Palermo | Cosponsors: | Senator COURTNEY of York
Senator CRAVEN of Androscoggin
Representative CUSHING of Hampden
Senator McCORMICK of Kennebec
Speaker NUTTING of Oakland
President RAYE of Washington
Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin
Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland
Senator THIBODEAU of Waldo |
| Committee: | Tax | Hearing: | * Jan 19, 2012, 0100PM, Room 127 State House |
| | | Work Session: | For work sessions details, click on the Web Link above for this bill. |