An Act To Address Issues Related to Chiropractic Licensure
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1466
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: SCHNEIDER, SILSBY, MARRACHE, BEAUDEITE, BEAULIEU, CLEARY, PRESCOIT, RECTOR, SAMSON
Amends: 32 MRSA §503-A

Legislative Document 
No. 1466 
S.P.514 
March 16,2007 
An Act To Address Issues Related to Chiropractic Licensure 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development suggested 
and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator SCHNEIDER of Penobscot. 
Cosponsored by Representative SILSBY of Augusta and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senator: MARRACHE of Kennebec, Representatives: BEAUDEITE of Biddeford, 
BEAULIEU of Auburn, CLEARY of Houlton, MacDONALD of Boothbay, PRESCOIT of 
Topsham, RECTOR of Thomaston, SAMSON of Auburn. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §503-A, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §59 
and as affected by §80, is repealed. 
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §503-A, sub-§l-A is enacted to read: 
I-A. Screening panel. On the board's own motion or upon receipt of a written 
complaint filed with the board regarding noncompliance with or violation of this chapter 
or of a rule adopted by the board, the chair of the board shall appoint a screening panel to 
review the complaint, referred to in this subsection as "the panel." 
A. The chair shall nominate subject to approval by the Governor an attorney with 
medical malpractice experience as chair of the panel and 2 chiropractors licensed 
under this chapter and 2 members of the general public to be members of the panel. 
The chair must receive compensation as determined by the board. Members of the 
panel must receive payment of expenses incurred for serving on the panel. The board 
shall provide staff support for the panel. 
B. The panel shall notify the licensee of the content of a complaint filed against the 
licensee as soon as possible. The licensee shall respond within 30 days. If the 
licensee's response to the complaint satisfies the panel that the complaint does not 
merit further investigation or action, the matter may be dismissed. 
C. If, in the opinion of the panel, the factual basis of the complaint is or may be true, 
and the complaint is of sufficient gravity to warrant further action, the panel may: 
(1) With the consent of the licensee, enter into a consent agreement that fixes the 
period and terms of probation best adapted 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 panel, the licensee and 
the Attorney General; or 
(2) Recommend referral to the board pursuant to subsection I-B. 
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §503-A, sub-§l-B is enacted to read: 
I-B. Disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. With respect to a complaint referred 
from the screening panel pursuant to subsection I-A, the board may take any of the 
following actions the board determines appropriate: 
A. Dismiss the complaint; 
B. With the consent of the licensee, enter into a consent agreement that fixes the 
period and terms of probation best adapted 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 board, the licensee and the Attorney 
General; 
C. 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, pursuant to Title 1, 
Page I - 123LR2327(Ol)-1 
section 405, unless otherwise requested by the licensee. Statements made at the 
conference may not be introduced at a subsequent formal hearing unless all parties 
COll~nt; or 
D. In consideration for acceptance of a voluntary surrender of the license, negotiate 
stipulations] including terms and conditions for reinstatement that ensure protection 
of the public health and safety and that serve to rehabilitate or educate the licensee. 
These stipulations may be set forth only in a consent agreement signed by the board, 
the licensee and the Attorney General; 
If the board concludes that modification or nonrenewal of the license is in order, the 
board shall hold an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Maine 
Administrative Procedure Act. 
If the board concludes that suspension or revocation of the license is in order, the board 
shall file a complaint in the District Court in accordance with Title 4, chapter 5. 
SUMMARY 
This bill creates a screening panel for complaints against chiropractors similar to the 
screening panel for medical malpractice claims under current law. The screening panel 
created by this bill reviews complaints against chiropractors and has the power to dismiss 
the complaint, enter into a consent agreement with the licensee who is the subject of the 
complaint or refer the complaint to the Board of Chiropractic Licensure for further action.