Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

                                                                APPROVED                 CHAPTER
                                                                 JULY 1, 2025                 107
                                                               BY GOVERNOR               RESOLVES
                                 STATE OF MAINE
                                          _____
                          IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
                       TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
                                          _____
                                H.P. 1069 - L.D. 1615
   Resolve, to Expand Access to Oral Health Care by Studying Alternative
           Pathways for Obtaining a License to Practice Dentistry
    Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
    Whereas, this resolve establishes a commission to study alternative pathways for
obtaining a license to practice dentistry; and
     Whereas, it is important to conduct this evaluation to address workforce shortages
that impact the availability of oral health care services to Maine residents; and
   Whereas, this legislation must take effect as soon as possible in order to provide
adequate time for the commission to complete its work in a timely manner before
submitting its report; 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. Commission to Expand Access to Oral Health Care by Studying
Alternative Pathways for Obtaining a License to Practice Dentistry
established. Resolved: That the Commission to Expand Access to Oral Health Care by
Studying Alternative Pathways for Obtaining a License to Practice Dentistry, referred to in
this resolve as "the commission," is established.
    Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule
353, the commission consists of 11 members appointed as follows:
    1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one
of whom must be a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage,
Insurance and Financial Services;
   2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, at least one of whom must be a member of the Joint Standing
Committee on Health and Human Services;
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   3. One member who is a member of the Board of Dental Practice, appointed by the
Board of Dental Practice;
    4. One member who is a representative of the Maine Dental Association, appointed by
the President of the Senate;
    5. One member who is a representative of federally qualified health centers that provide
dental services, appointed by the President of the Senate;
    6. One member who is a dentist licensed to practice in the State, appointed by the
President of the Senate;
    7. One member who is a foreign-trained dentist, appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives;
   8. One member who is a representative of the Maine Dental Hygienists' Association,
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
    9. One member representing the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation,
Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, appointed by the Governor.
   Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the
commission.
    Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative
Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members,
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for
the commission to meet and conduct its business.
     Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall study integrating foreign-
trained dentists and out-of-state dentists into the dental care workforce in a way that best
reflects their level of skills and training and reducing barriers to licensing for foreign-
trained dentists and dentists from other states. The commission shall explore a wide range
of options for how to help enable foreign-trained dentists and out-of-state dentists who wish
to live and practice in the State to address potential workforce shortages. The commission
shall make recommendations on:
    1. Strategies to integrate foreign-trained dentists and dentists from other states into the
State's dental care workforce;
    2. Changes to state laws and rules that may pose unnecessary barriers to practice for
foreign-trained dentists and dentists from other states;
    3. Necessary supports for foreign-trained dentists and out-of-state dentists moving
through the different steps in the licensing process prior to involvement with the Board of
Dental Practice;
    4. Opportunities to advocate for corresponding changes to national licensing
requirements; and
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   5. Any other matters pertaining to foreign-trained dentists and dentists from other states
considered necessary by the commission.
     The commission shall review and identify best practices from similar efforts in other
states. The commission may hold hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public
to gather information. The commission may develop guidelines for full licensure and
conditional licensure of foreign-trained dentists and dentists from other states and
recommendations for the types of strategies, programs and support that would benefit
foreign-trained dentists and dentists from other states to use the fullest extent of their
training and experience.
    Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
     Sec. 7. Stakeholder participation. Resolved: That the commission may invite
the participation of stakeholders to participate in meetings or subcommittee meetings of
the commission to ensure the commission has the information and expertise necessary to
fulfill its duties, including, but not limited to, representatives of the University of New
England College of Dental Medicine and the Maine Public Health Association.
    Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than
December 10, 2025, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and
recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on
Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services. The joint standing committee may
report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature based on the
report.
    Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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