Resolve, To Expand Dental Care in the State by Extending the Pilot Program for Dental Hygienists

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 67 and chapter 153, independent practice dental hygienists in certain underserved areas of the State are allowed to expose and process radiographs; and

Whereas,  this authorization is set to expire on March 15, 2015; and

Whereas,  this legislation, which continues the authorization and expands its application to the entire State, needs to take effect prior to March 15, 2015 to avoid an interruption in the services; 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

Sec. 1. Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, first ¶, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, first ¶, as amended by Resolve 2011, c. 153, §1, is further amended to read:

Sec. 1. Pilot project for underserved and other areas of the State. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Dental Examiners shall establish a pilot project to allow a licensed independent practice dental hygienist to expose and process radiographs under protocols developed by the Board of Dental Examiners . Until March 15, 2015, this pilot project applies only within areas of the State that have been designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as dental health professional shortage areas. Beginning March 15, 2015, the pilot project applies statewide.

Sec. 2. Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, last ¶, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, last ¶, as amended by Resolve 2011, c. 153, §3, is further amended to read:

The pilot project terminates March 15,   2015  2017; and be it further

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

Under a pilot project that is scheduled to expire on March 15, 2015, independent practice dental hygienists are allowed to expose and process radiographs in areas of the State that have been designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as dental health professional shortage areas.

This resolve continues the authority of these independent practice dental hygienists to expose and process radiographs for 2 more years, except that the authorization applies in the entire State for those additional 2 years.