An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Nursing Facilities To Permit Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Physician Assistants To Perform Certain Physician Tasks
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1134
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: STEWART, CARPENTER
Amends: 22 MRSA §1812-L

Legislative Document
No. 1134
H.P. 797
House of Representatives, March 23, 2017
An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Nursing Facilities To Permit 
Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Physician 
Assistants To Perform Certain Physician Tasks
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative STEWART of Presque Isle.
Cosponsored by Senator CARPENTER of Aroostook.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §1812-L is enacted to read: 
§1812-L.  Performance of certain tasks by physicians and others 
1.  Performance of certain tasks for residents receiving skilled nursing facility 
services.  For a nursing facility resident receiving skilled nursing facility level services: 
A.  The initial comprehensive visit through which a plan of care is developed for the 
resident and every alternate required visit thereafter must be performed by a 
physician; 
B.  The alternate required visits not performed by a physician may be performed, 
without requiring a physician's cosignature, by a physician assistant, nurse 
practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is licensed or certified as such by the 
State and performing within the authorized scope of practice; 
C.  Medically necessary visits may be performed, without requiring a physician's 
cosignature, by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist 
who is licensed or certified as such by the State and performing within the authorized 
scope of practice; and 
D.  Certifications and recertifications to verify that the resident requires daily skilled 
nursing care or rehabilitation services may be performed by a physician assistant, 
nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is licensed or certified as such by 
the State and performing within the authorized scope of practice and who is not 
employed by the facility and who is working in collaboration with a physician. 
2.  Performance of certain tasks for residents receiving nursing facility services.  
For a nursing facility resident receiving nursing facility level services, a physician 
assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who is licensed or certified as such 
by the State and performing within the authorized scope of practice and who is not 
employed by the facility and who is working in collaboration with a physician may 
perform any physician task, including but not limited to: 
A.  The resident's initial comprehensive visit; 
B.  Any other required visit; and 
C.  Any medically necessary visit. 
SUMMARY 
This bill provides that, in accordance with federal regulations: 
1.  For nursing home residents receiving skilled nursing facility level services, a 
physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may provide medically 
necessary visits, certifications and recertifications and required visits that alternate with 
those performed by a physician; and 
2.  For nursing home residents receiving nursing facility level services, a physician 
assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may perform any physician task.