Sec. 1. 24 MRSA §2902, as repealed and replaced by PL 1985, c. 804, §§13 and 22, is amended to read:

§2902. Statute of limitations for health care providers

and health care practitioners

Actions for professional negligence shall must be commenced within 3 6 years after the cause of action accrues. For the purposes of this section, a cause of action accrues on the date of the act or omission giving rise to the injury. Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 14, section 853, relating to minority, actions for professional negligence by a minor shall must be commenced within 6 12 years after the cause of action accrues or within 3 6 years after the minor reaches the age of majority, whichever first occurs. This section does not apply where when the cause of action is based upon the leaving of a foreign object in the body, in which case the cause of action shall accrue accrues when the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the harm. For the purposes of this section, the term "foreign object" does not include a chemical compound, prosthetic aid or object intentionally implanted or permitted to remain in the patient's body as a part of the health care or professional services.

If the provision in this section reducing the time allowed for a minor to bring a claim is found to be void or otherwise invalidated by a court of proper jurisdiction, then the statute of limitations for professional negligence shall be is 2 years after the cause of action accrues, except that no claim brought under the 3-year 6-year statute of limitations may be extinguished by the operation of this paragraph.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §3263, first ¶, as amended by PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read:

The Board of Licensure in Medicine, as established by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 24, and in this chapter called the "board," consists of 9 10 individuals who are residents of this State, appointed by the Governor. Three Five individuals must be representatives of the public. Six Five individuals must be graduates of a legally chartered medical college or university having authority to confer degrees in medicine and must have been actively engaged in the practice of their profession in this State for a continuous period of 5 years preceding their appointments to the board. A full-term appointment is for 6 years. Appointment of members must comply with section 60. A member of the board may be removed from office for cause by the Governor.