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Page 1 - 132LR0926(03)
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
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H.P. 620 - L.D. 961
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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 316, §1, is further
amended by amending the 2nd blocked paragraph to read:
APPROVED
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
540
PUBLIC LAW
Page 2 - 132LR0926(03)
A Until the board has adopted rules to establish practice standards pursuant to section
2205-B, subsection 4-A, a certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice
registered nurse must practice, for at least 24 months, under the supervision of a licensed
physician or a supervising nurse practitioner or must be employed by a clinic or hospital
that has a medical director who is a licensed physician. The certified nurse practitioner
shall submit written evidence to the board upon completion of the required clinical
experience.
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§10, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 316, §2, is
repealed and the following enacted in its place:
A. Met the requirements of section 2205-B, subsection 4-A specified by the board in
rule;
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§10, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 316, §2, is
amended to read:
B. Practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse for a minimum of 5 years in the
same speciality specialty;
Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §2205-B, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:
4-A. Approval of certified nurse practitioner. A certified nurse practitioner who
qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse must meet practice standards specified
in rule by the board related to:
A. The length of time a certified nurse practitioner must practice as an advanced
practice registered nurse;
B. Based on experience and licensing status, the minimum amount of time a certified
nurse practitioner must practice with a supervising nurse practitioner serving in a
mentorship role to the certified nurse practitioner;
C. The practice setting of a certified nurse practitioner, including consideration of 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
D. Any other factors determined necessary by the board.
A certified nurse practitioner shall demonstrate compliance with the practice standards
required under this subsection in the form and manner required by the board. The board
may adopt rules as necessary to implement the requirements of this subsection. Rules
adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter
375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 5. State Board of Nursing rulemaking; submission of proposed
practice standards. No later than March 15, 2026, the State Board of Nursing shall
submit proposed practice standards for certified nurse practitioners, as required by the
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, section 2205-B, subsection 4-A, to the Joint Standing
Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services for review. The joint
standing committee may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd
Legislature relating to the practice standards for certified nurse practitioners.
Notwithstanding Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2, the State Board of Nursing may not
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adopt any rules before May 1, 2026 relating to the practice standards for certified nurse
practitioners as required by Title 32, section 2205-B, subsection 4-A.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.