Maine legislation · 132nd Legislature
Maine LD961: An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care
Status: Signed into law, February 17, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care Emergency preamble.
From the engrossed text:
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 …
Sponsors
- Kristi Mathieson (D, 151) · primary sponsor
- Poppy Arford (D, 101)
- Michelle Boyer (D, 123)
- Stacy Brenner (D, 30)
- Anne Graham (D, 105)
- Daniel Shagoury (D, 55)
- Denise Tepler (D, 24)
Latest actions
- : Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
- : On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending PASSAGE TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. Unfinished Business
- : This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- : READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-785), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
- : Reports READ and ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-785) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
- : CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-785).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- : Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- : Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- : Received by the Clerk of the House on March 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
Subjects: LICENSING, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Legislature, Senate, HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL, Other
Common questions
- What is LD961?
- LD961 is a bill in the Maine Legislature (132nd Legislature): An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care.
- What does LD961 do?
- In its own words: An Act to Address Maine's Health Care Workforce Shortage and Improve Access to Care Emergency preamble.
- What is the status of LD961?
- Signed into law as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: Taken from the table by the President Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence. (February 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored LD961?
- Kristi Mathieson (D, 151), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for LD961?
- On the Maine Legislature website: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=961&snum=132
Source: official Maine record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.