An Act To Update and Streamline State Licensing Laws and Clarify the Process for Appealing Final Decisions of Certain Licensing Entities
PART A
Sec. A-1. 9 MRSA §5004, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. A, §3, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-2. 10 MRSA §8003, sub-§8, as amended by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. H, §10, is repealed.
Sec. A-3. 32 MRSA §554, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. H, §12, is further amended to read:
§ 554. Display of license; rights
When the board grants to an individual the license mentioned in section 552, the license must designate the holder as a doctor of chiropractic or a chiropractor and must be publicly displayed at the individual's principal place of business so long as that individual continues to practice chiropractic for gain or hire. The license entitles the individual to whom it is granted to practice chiropractic in this State in all of its branches of discipline, except obstetrics, so far as the same relates to parturition, the administering of drugs and the performance of surgical operations with the use of instruments, except as allowed by law. This section may not be construed to prohibit a legally licensed doctor of chiropractic in this State from practicing surgery after having passed a satisfactory examination before the State Board of Licensure in Medicine.
Sec. A-4. 32 MRSA §1104, as amended by PL 1999, c. 657, §14, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
§ 1104. State electrical inspectors
The decision of the Superior Court on an appeal as provided is final. An order by a state electrical inspector or an order by the Electricians' Examining Board is final and subject to no further appeal upon failure to file a timely, written appeal therefrom as provided.
Upon the failure of any person to carry out a final order as provided, the Electricians' Examining Board may petition the Superior Court for the county in which the building or premises are located for an injunction to enforce that order. If the court determines upon hearing the petition that a lawful final order was issued, it shall order compliance.
Sec. A-5. 32 MRSA §1202, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 1999, c. 386, Pt. F, §14 and PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §2 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:
(1) A limited electrician in water pumps must have 135 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 2,000 hours of experience. The privileges of practice are restricted to electrical work between the branch circuits and power supplies.
(2) A limited electrician in outdoor signs, including sign lighting, must have 135 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 2,000 hours of experience. The privileges of practice do not include branch circuit wiring.
(3) A limited electrician in gasoline dispensing must have 135 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 2,000 hours of experience. The privileges of practice are restricted to electrical work between the branch circuit and the power supply.
(4) A limited electrician in traffic signals, including outdoor lighting of traffic signals, must have 135 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 2,000 hours of experience.
(5) A limited electrician in house wiring must have 225 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 4,000 hours of experience. Privileges of practice are restricted to one-family and 2-family dwellings, including modular and mobile homes. Any person having a limited license in mobile homes prior to the effective date of this section is automatically licensed as a limited electrician in house wiring.
(6) A limited electrician in refrigeration must have 270 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 6,000 hours of experience. Graduates of a Maine community college electrical program in refrigeration approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution are credited with 4,000 hours of experience upon graduation. Privileges of practice are restricted to all associated wire from the loadside of distribution.
(7) A limited electrician in low energy, including fire alarms, must have 270 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 4,000 hours of experience. Any person having a limited license in fire alarms or experience in the installation of low-energy electronics , as defined by the National Electrical Code, prior to the effective date of this section , qualifies to be licensed as a limited electrician in low energy.
(8) A crane technician must have 135 hours of electrical education as approved by the Electricians' Examining Board or from an accredited institution and 2,000 hours of experience. Any person having work experience in the installation of cranes and hoists, as defined by the National Electrical Code, prior to the effective date of this subparagraph, qualifies to be licensed as a crane technician. This covers the installation of electrical equipment and wiring used in connection with cranes, monorail hoists, hoists and runways.
Sec. A-6. 32 MRSA §1524-B, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §11 and affected by §20, is amended to read:
Sec. A-7. 32 MRSA §1524-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §11 and affected by §20, is repealed.
Sec. A-8. 32 MRSA §3115, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. N, §7, is further amended to read:
§ 3115. Licensure
The board shall license an applicant who meets the requirements of this chapter and pays the biennial licensure fee as set under section 3116-A. The license must be conspicuously displayed by the licensee at the place of employment. Licensure as a physical therapist entitles the person to whom it is granted to engage in the practice of physical therapy anywhere in this State and to use the words "physical therapist" or letters "P.T." to indicate that the person is licensed in this State. Licensure as a physical therapist assistant entitles the person to whom it is granted to act as a physical therapist assistant and to use the words "physical therapist assistant" or letters "P.T.A." to indicate that the person is licensed in this State.
Sec. A-9. 32 MRSA §3552-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 77, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-10. 32 MRSA §3653, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §246, is further amended to read:
§ 3653. Use of title
An applicant who satisfactorily meets the requirements for license to practice podiatry, as provided in this chapter, may be granted a license by the board signed by the chair, which that entitles the individual to whom it is granted to practice podiatry in this State. The license must be conspicuously displayed at the place of practice of the podiatrist. A podiatrist licensed in accordance with this chapter may use the word "Doctor" or the letters "Dr." when followed by the word "Podiatrist" or "Chiropodist," or the designation of the degree "D.P.M."
Sec. A-11. 32 MRSA §3812-A is enacted to read:
§ 3812-A. Delegation authorized
Sec. A-12. 32 MRSA §6210, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. U, §6, is further amended to read:
§ 6210. Meetings; chair; quorum
The board shall meet at least once a year to conduct its business and to elect a chair. Additional meetings must be held as necessary to conduct the business of the board and may be convened at the call of the chair or a majority of the board members. Six Five members of the board constitute a quorum.
Sec. A-13. 32 MRSA §7053, sub-§3, ¶A, as amended by PL 2001, c. 316, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-14. 32 MRSA §7053, sub-§3-B, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 429, §4 and affected by §7, is amended to read:
Sec. A-15. 32 MRSA §9854, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 511, §5, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-16. 32 MRSA §9855, sub-§3, ¶C, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. X, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-17. 32 MRSA §13198, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §212, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. A-18. 32 MRSA §13199, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 378, §10 and affected by §29, is amended to read:
Sec. A-19. 32 MRSA §13852, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2007, c. 621, §15, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-20. 32 MRSA §14002, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 185, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. A-21. 32 MRSA §14022, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 185, §5, is amended to read:
§ 14022. Place of business
A licensee shall designate and maintain a principal place of business where real estate appraisal records may be inspected for purposes consistent with this chapter and shall conspicuously display the license in the principal place of business. A nonresident is not required to maintain a place of business in this State if the nonresident maintains an active place of business in the state of domicile.
Sec. A-22. 32 MRSA §14036, sub-§2, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 518, §7, is amended to read:
Sec. A-23. 32 MRSA §17104-A is enacted to read:
§ 17104-A. Delegation authorized
PART B
Sec. B-1. 4 MRSA §152, sub-§9, as amended by PL 2005, c. 65, Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read:
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a licensing agency may not reinstate or otherwise affect a license suspended, revoked or modified by the District Court pursuant to a complaint filed by the Attorney General without the approval of the Attorney General;
Sec. B-2. 4 MRSA §152, sub-§10, as amended by PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §4 and affected by §42, is repealed.
Sec. B-3. 5 MRSA §10051, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 451, Pt. T, §3, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-4. 10 MRSA §8003, sub-§5-A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 621, §§2 and 3, is further amended to read:
(1) The practice of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining a license from a bureau, office, board or commission, or in connection with services rendered while engaged in the occupation or profession for which the person is licensed;
(2) Any gross negligence, incompetence, misconduct or violation of an applicable code of ethics or standard of practice while engaged in the occupation or profession for which the person is licensed;
(3) Subject to the limitations of Title 5, chapter 341, conviction of a Class A, B or C crime or Conviction of a crime that bears directly on the licensed profession or occupation to the extent permitted by Title 5, chapter 341;
(4) Any violation of the governing law of an office, board or commission;
(5) Any violation of the rules of an office, board or commission;
(6) Engaging in any activity requiring a license under the governing law of an office, board or commission that is beyond the scope of acts authorized by the license held;
(7) Continuing to act in a capacity requiring a license under the governing law of an office, board or commission after expiration, suspension or revocation of that license;
(8) Aiding or abetting unlicensed practice by a person who is not licensed as required by the governing law of an office, board or commission;
(9) Noncompliance with an order or consent agreement of an office, board or commission;
(10) Failure to produce any requested documents in the licensee’s possession or under the licensee’s control concerning a pending complaint or proceeding or any matter under investigation; or
(11) Any violation of a requirement imposed pursuant to section 8003-G.
(1) Denial or refusal to renew a license, or issuance of a license in conjunction with the imposition of other discipline;
(2) Issuance of warning, censure or reprimand. Each warning, censure or reprimand issued must be based upon violation of a single applicable law, rules or condition of licensure or must be based upon a single instance of actionable conduct or activity;
(3) Suspension of a license for up to 90 days for each violation of applicable laws, rules or conditions of licensure or for each instance of actionable conduct or activity. Suspensions may be set to run concurrently or consecutively. Execution of all or any portion of a term of suspension may be stayed pending successful completion of conditions of probation, although the suspension remains part of the licensee's record;
(4) Revocation of a license;
(5) Imposition of civil penalties of up to $1,500, or such greater amount as may be authorized by statute, for each violation of applicable laws, rules or conditions of licensure or for each instance of actionable conduct or activity; or
(6) Imposition of conditions of probation upon an applicant or licensee. Probation may run for such time period as the office, board or commission determines appropriate. Probation may include conditions such as: additional continuing education; medical, psychiatric or mental health consultations or evaluations; mandatory professional or occupational supervision of the applicant or licensee; practice restrictions; and other conditions as the office, board or commission determines appropriate. Costs incurred in the performance of terms of probation are borne by the applicant or licensee. Failure to comply with the conditions of probation is a ground for disciplinary action against a licensee.
(3) Except as provided in Title 37-B, section 390-A, adopt rules requiring continuing professional or occupational education and require applicants for license renewal to present proof of satisfactory completion of continuing professional or occupational education in accordance with such rules. Failure to comply with the continuing education rules is punishable by nonrenewal of the license and other discipline authorized by this subsection. Notwithstanding any contrary provision set forth in the governing law of an office, board or commission, continuing education requirements may coincide with the license renewal period. Rules adopted pursuant to this subparagraph are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A;
(4) Issue continuing education deferments in cases of undue hardship;
(5) Grant inactive status licenses to licensees in accordance with rules that may be adopted by each office, board or commission. The fee for an inactive status license may not exceed the statutory fee cap for license renewal set forth in the governing law of the office, board or commission. Licensees in inactive status are required to pay license renewal fees for renewal of an inactive status license and may be required to pay a reinstatement fee as set by the Director of the Office of Licensing and Registration if the license is reactivated on a date other than the ordinary renewal date of the license. Any rules of an office, board or commission regulating inactive status licensure must describe the obligations of an inactive status licensee with respect to any ongoing continuing education requirement in effect for licensees of the office, board or commission and must set forth any requirements for reinstatement to active status, which requirements may include continuing education. Rules adopted pursuant to this subparagraph are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A; and
(6) Delegate to staff the authority to review and approve applications for licensure pursuant to procedures and criteria established by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this subparagraph are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
The jurisdiction to suspend and revoke impose discipline against occupational and professional licenses conferred by this subsection is concurrent with that of the District Court. Civil penalties must be paid to the Treasurer of State.
Any nonconsensual disciplinary action taken under authority of this subsection other than denial or nonrenewal of a license may be imposed only after a hearing conforming to the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 , and , except for revocation actions, is subject to judicial review exclusively in the Superior Court in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7.
The office, board or commission shall hold a hearing conforming to the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 at the written request of any person who is denied an initial or renewal license without a hearing for any reason other than failure to pay a fee, provided that the request for hearing is received by the office, board or commission within 30 days of the applicant's receipt of written notice of the denial of the application, the reasons for the denial and the applicant's right to request a hearing.
The office, board or commission may subpoena witnesses, records and documents in any adjudicatory hearing it conducts.
Any nonconsensual revocation of a professional or occupational license taken under authority of this subsection is subject to, upon appeal within the time frames provided in Title 5, section 11002, subsection 3, de novo judicial review exclusively in District Court. Rules adopted to govern judicial appeals from agency action apply to cases brought under this subsection.