APPROVED CHAPTER
JULY 1, 2025 491
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
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S.P. 776 - L.D. 1981
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Emergency Medical
Services' Board and the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency
Medical Services in the State
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§15-A is enacted to read:
15-A.
Emergency Medical Services Licensing Board $20/Day 32 MRSA §84
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §83, sub-§13-B is enacted to read:
13-B. Licensing board. "Licensing board" means the Emergency Medical Services
Licensing Board appointed by the board pursuant to section 84, subsection 1, paragraph H.
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §83, sub-§16-B, as amended by PL 2019, c. 617, Pt. C, §1, is
further amended to read:
16-B. Medical Direction and Practices Board. "Medical Direction and Practices
Board" means the board consisting of each regional and associate regional medical director,
an emergency physician representing the Maine Chapter of the American College of
Emergency Medicine Physicians, an at-large member, a toxicologist or licensed
pharmacist, a person licensed under section 85 to provide basic emergency medical
treatment, a person licensed under section 85 to provide advanced emergency medical
treatment, a pediatric physician, the statewide associate emergency medical services
medical director and the statewide emergency medical services medical director. The
Medical Direction and Practices Board is responsible for creation, adoption and
maintenance of Maine Emergency Medical Services protocols pursuant to section 88‑B.
Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §84, sub-§1, ¶H is enacted to read:
H. The board, by majority vote and in consultation with the Commissioner of Public
Safety or the commissioner's designee, shall appoint the Emergency Medical Services
Licensing Board. The licensing board consists of 7 members as follows:
(1) A member who is an emergency medical services physician representing
hospitals;
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 (2) A member representing advanced emergency medical services persons;
(3) A member representing basic emergency medical services persons;
(4) A member representing emergency medical dispatch services;
(5) A member representing emergency medical services licensed training centers;
(6) A member representing emergency medical services administrators; and
(7) The Director of Maine Emergency Medical Services or the director's designee.
Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §85, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 274, §11, is further
amended to read:
1. Basic and advanced skills. With advice from and in consultation with the licensing
board and Medical Direction and Practices Board, the board may provide, by rule, which
skills, techniques and judgments constitute a basic emergency medical treatment.
Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §85, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2025, c. 7, §1, is further amended
to read:
3. Minimum requirements for licensing. In setting rules for the licensure of
emergency medical services persons, the board, in consultation with the licensing board,
shall ensure that a person is not licensed to care for patients unless that person's
qualifications are at least those specified in this subsection. Any person who meets these
conditions is considered to have the credentials and skill demonstrations necessary for
licensure to provide emergency medical treatment.
A. The person must have completed successfully the training specified in rules adopted
by the board pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.
C. The person must have successfully completed a state board-approved cognitive test
for basic emergency medical treatment and a board-approved assessment of emergency
medical treatment skills.
The licensing board shall obtain criminal history record information containing a record of
public criminal history record information as defined in Title 16, section 703, subsection 9
for an applicant seeking licensure under this subsection. Information obtained pursuant to
this subsection is confidential and may be used only to determine suitability for issuance
of a license to provide emergency medical services. The results of criminal history record
checks received by the licensing board are for official use only and may not be disseminated
outside the licensing board. The applicant for licensure shall pay the expense of obtaining
the information required by this subsection.
Sec. 7. 32 MRSA §85, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2025, c. 7, §2, is further amended
to read:
4. Minimum requirements for relicensing. The board, in consultation with the
licensing board, shall set by rule the license and relicensing requirements and the
relicensing interval for emergency medical services persons. A person who is duly licensed
in Maine as an emergency medical services person must be issued a renewal license if the
following requirements are met:
A. The person must have satisfactorily completed relicensure training as defined in the
rules; and
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 B. The person must have satisfactorily demonstrated competence in the skills required
for the license level. Skill competence may be satisfied by a combination of run report
reviews and continuing education training programs conducted in accordance with the
rules or by satisfactorily completing the state board-approved cognitive test and a
board-approved assessment of emergency medical treatment skills.
If the person is not duly licensed at the time of application, the person must demonstrate
skill and knowledge as defined in the rules.
To maintain a valid license, an emergency medical services person must meet the criteria
set out in this section. If those criteria are not met, a person does not hold a valid license
and must reapply for licensure.
Sec. 8. 32 MRSA §85-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2011, c. 271, §12, is further
amended to read:
4. Licensing actions. A license issued pursuant to this section is subject to the
provisions of sections section 90‑A and 91‑A. Before the licensing board or its
subcommittee or staff takes any final action to suspend or revoke an emergency medical
dispatch center license or to refuse to reissue an emergency medical dispatch center license,
the licensing board shall contact the bureau for input on the effect of such an action on the
E-9-1-1 system and, notwithstanding section 91‑B, may, to the extent necessary for this
purpose, disclose to the bureau information that is designated as confidential under section
91‑B.
Sec. 9. 32 MRSA §85-B, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 220, §3, is amended to
read:
1. Mandatory qualifications. The board, in consultation with the licensing board,
shall adopt rules governing qualifications for and standards to be observed by emergency
medical services ambulance operators, including:
A. Establishing licensing requirements for emergency medical services ambulance
operators;
B. Establishing minimal education and continuing education requirements for
emergency medical services ambulance operators;
C. Providing for Maine Emergency Medical Services approval of training programs
for emergency medical services ambulance operators that are conducted in accordance
with standards approved by the board; and
D. Establishing requirements for holding a valid state driver’s license pursuant to Title
29‑A, chapter 11, subchapter 1.
Sec. 10. 32 MRSA §85-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 220, §3, is amended
to read:
2. Background and driver's license information check. The licensing board shall
obtain criminal history record information containing a record of public criminal history
record information as defined in Title 16, section 703, subsection 8 for an applicant for
licensure under this section. The licensing board shall also obtain driver's license
information for an applicant for licensure under this section. Information obtained pursuant
to this subsection is confidential and may be used only to determine suitability for issuance
of a license to operate an emergency medical services ambulance. The results of criminal
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history record information checks received by the licensing board are for official use only
and may not be disseminated outside the board. The applicant for licensure shall pay the
expense of obtaining the information required by this subsection.
Sec. 11. 32 MRSA §85-B, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2021, c. 220, §3, is amended
to read:
4. Licensing actions. A license issued under this section is subject to the provisions
of sections section 90‑A and 91‑A.
Sec. 12. 32 MRSA §88, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 1991, c. 588, §16, is further
amended to read:
C. The board shall delegate authority to the licensing board to grant licenses pursuant
to this chapter.
Sec. 13. 32 MRSA §88, sub-§2, ¶I, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 588, §16, is amended
to read:
I. The board, in consultation with the licensing board, may establish and collect
licensure fees, application fees, examination fees, course and conference fees, tuition
and other charges as determined necessary by the board for the efficient administration
of this chapter. All funds received pursuant to this paragraph must be deposited into a
nonlapsing fund established for the purpose. Maine Emergency Medical Services shall
administer the fund with the advice and consent of the commissioner. Funds must be
deposited with the Treasurer of State to the credit of the fund and may be invested as
provided by law. Interest on these investments must be credited to the fund.
Sec. 14. 32 MRSA §88, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2019, c. 370, §17, is repealed.
Sec. 15. 32 MRSA §88, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 229, §4, is repealed.
Sec. 16. 32 MRSA §88, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 6, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 17. 32 MRSA §90-A, as amended by PL 2023, c. 111, §1, is further amended
to read:
§90-A. Licensing actions
1. Disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. The licensing board or, as delegated, its
subcommittee or staff, shall investigate a complaint on its own motion or upon receipt of a
written complaint filed with the licensing board regarding noncompliance with or violation
of this chapter or of any rules adopted by the board. Investigation may include an informal
conference before the board, its subcommittee or staff to determine whether grounds exist
for suspension, revocation or denial of a license or for taking other disciplinary action
pursuant to this chapter. The licensing board, its subcommittee or its staff may subpoena
witnesses, records and documents, including records and documents maintained by a health
care facility or other service organization or person related to the delivery of emergency
medical services, in any investigation or hearing it conducts.
2. Notice. The licensing board shall notify the licensee of the content of a complaint
filed against the licensee as soon as possible, but in no event later than 60 days after the
licensing board or its staff receives the initial pertinent information. The licensee has the
right to respond within 30 days in all cases except those involving an emergency denial,
suspension or revocation, as described in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5,
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chapter 375, subchapter 5. If the licensee's response to the complaint satisfies the licensing
board or its staff that the complaint does not merit further investigation or action, the matter
may be dismissed, with notice of the dismissal to the complainant, if any.
3. Informal conference. If, in the opinion of the board, its subcommittee or staff, the
factual basis of the complaint is or may be true and the complaint is of sufficient gravity to
warrant further action, the board or staff may request an informal conference with the
licensee. The board shall provide the licensee with adequate notice of the conference and
of the issues to be discussed. The conference must be conducted in executive session of
the board, subcommittee or staff, pursuant to Title 1, section 405, unless otherwise
requested by the licensee. Statements made at the conference may not be introduced at a
subsequent formal administrative or judicial hearing unless all parties consent. The
licensee may, without prejudice, refuse to participate in an informal conference if the
licensee prefers to request an adjudicatory hearing. If the licensee participates in the
informal conference, the licensee waives the right to object to a participant at the hearing
who participated at the informal conference.
4. Further action. If the licensing board, its subcommittee or its staff finds that the
factual basis of the complaint is true and is of sufficient gravity to warrant further action,
it may take any of the following actions.
A. The licensing board, its subcommittee or its staff may negotiate a consent
agreement with the licensee that fixes the period and terms of probation necessary to
protect the public health and safety and to rehabilitate or educate the licensee. A
consent agreement may be used to terminate a complaint investigation, if entered into
by the licensing board or its staff, the licensee and the Department of the Attorney
General.
B. If a licensee voluntarily surrenders a license, the licensing board, its subcommittee
or its staff may negotiate stipulations necessary to ensure protection of the public health
and safety and the rehabilitation or education of the licensee. These stipulations may
be set forth only in a consent agreement signed by the licensing board or its staff, the
licensee and the Department of the Attorney General.
C. If the licensing board, its subcommittee or its staff concludes that modification,
nonrenewal or suspension pursuant to section 88, subsection 3 subsection 7 of a license
or imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to section 88, subsection 3 subsection 7 is in
order, the licensing board shall so notify the licensee and inform the licensee of the
licensee's right to request an adjudicatory hearing. If the licensee requests an
adjudicatory hearing in a timely manner, the adjudicatory hearing must be held by the
licensing board in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4. If the licensee
wishes to appeal the final decision of the licensing board, the licensee shall file a
petition for review with the Superior Court within 30 days of receipt of the licensing
board's decision. Review under this paragraph must be conducted pursuant to Title 5,
chapter 375, subchapter 7.
D. Except in the specific circumstances where for which Title 5, section 10004 may
be invoked, if the licensing board or its staff concludes that suspension beyond the
authority conferred by section 88 and subsection 7 of the license is in order, the
licensing board or its staff shall request the Attorney General to file a complaint in the
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 District Court in accordance with Title 4, chapter 5 and the Maine Administrative
Procedure Act to commence either full or emergency proceedings.
5. Grounds for licensing action. A decision to take action against any applicant or
licensee pursuant to this chapter or any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, including,
but not limited to, a decision to impose a civil penalty or to refuse to issue or renew a license
or to modify, suspend or revoke a license of a person, service or vehicle, may be predicated
on the following grounds:
A. Fraud or deceit in obtaining a license under this chapter or in connection with
service rendered within the scope of the license issued;
B-1. The use of any drug, narcotic or substance that is illegal under state or federal
law, or to the extent that the licensee's ability to provide emergency medical services
or emergency medical dispatch services would be impaired;
B-2. A declaration of or claim pertaining to the licensee of legal incompetence that
has not been legally terminated;
B-3. Any condition or impairment within the preceding 3 years, including, but not
limited to, substance use disorder or a mental, emotional or nervous disorder or
condition, that in any way affects, or if untreated could impair, the licensee's ability to
provide emergency medical services or emergency medical dispatch services;
D. Aiding or abetting the practice of emergency care by a person not duly licensed
under this chapter who purports to be so;
E. Incompetent professional practice as evidenced by:
(1) Demonstrated inability to respond appropriately to a client, patient or the
general public; or
(2) Inability to apply principles, skills or knowledge necessary to successfully
carry out the practice for which the licensee is licensed;
F. Violation of any reasonable standard of professional behavior, conduct or practice
that has been established in the practice for which the licensee is licensed;
G. Subject to the limitations of Title 5, chapter 341, conviction of a crime that involves
dishonesty or false statement, conviction of a crime that relates directly to the practice
for which the licensee is licensed, conviction of a crime for which incarceration for one
year or more may be imposed or conviction of a crime defined in Title 17‑A, chapter
11, 12 or 45;
H. Any violation of this chapter or any rule adopted by the board or the licensing
board; or
I. For other purposes as specified by rules or l