Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §13702, sub-§1-B is enacted to read:

1-B.__Central facility.__"Central facility" means a facility that:

A.__Fills a prescription drug order at the request of a pharmacy; and

B.__Does not have direct contact with a patient or person acting on behalf of a patient submitting the prescription drug order to the pharmacy.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §13724 is enacted to read:

§13724.__Demonstration projects

The board may allow a temporary waiver to its rules enacted pursuant to this Act to allow a person to develop a demonstration project whose purpose is to ensure the adequate staffing of pharmacies within this State.__A waiver granted pursuant to this section may not exceed one year; however, a waiver may be renewed by the board.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §13796 is enacted to read:

§13796.__Filling of prescription by central location

1.__Filling by central facility permitted.__A pharmacy that lawfully dispenses pursuant to this chapter may contract with a central facility to have a prescription drug order filled and returned to the pharmacy.__The pharmacy requesting assistance from the central facility shall fulfill its obligations regarding dispensing and counseling of a patient as if the pharmacy had actually filled the prescription drug order.

2.__Transmittal of prescription drug order.__Transmittal by a pharmacy of a prescription drug order to a central facility must be by electronic transmission or other means approved by the board that ensures accuracy.

3.__Rules.__The board shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section, including the requirements for and regulation of a facility that wishes to operate as a central facility.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.