An Act To Facilitate Dental Treatment for Children
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 1975
Committee Amendment CA_A_S401 (Senate)
Amends: 24 MRSA §2317-B, 24-A MRSA §2766-A, 24-A MRSA §2847-W, 24-A MRSA §4260

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "~ " to S.P. 677, L.D. 1975, Bill, "An Act To 
Facilitate Dental Treatment for Children" 
Amend the bill by· striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MR.SA §285, sub-§16 is enacted to read: 
16. 
Dental benefit waiting period. 
The requirements of Title 24-A. sections 
2766-A. 2847-W and 4260 that prohibit a waiting period for any dental or oral health 
service or treatment. except for orthodontic treatment, for an enrollee if the enrollee is 
under 19 years of age apply to any group health plan or dental plan purchased under 
subsection 5 or to any self-insured group health or dental plan provided under subsection 
2,_ 
Sec. 2. 24 MR.SA §2317-B, sub-§21, as amended by PL 2019, c. 274, §3 and 
amended by c. 388, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
21. Title 24-A, sections 2765-A and 2847-U. The practice of dental therapy by a 
dental therapist. Title 24-A. sections 2765-A and 2847-U; 
Sec. 3. 24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§22, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 274, §4, is 
amended to read: 
22. Title 24-A, section 4320-M. Coverage for abortion services, Title 24-A, section 
4320-M,; and 
Sec. 4. 24 MR.SA §2317-B, sub-§23 is enacted to read: 
23. Title 24-A, sections 2766-A and 2847-W. The prohibition on a dental benefit 
waiting period for persons under 19 years of age, Title 24-A. sections 2766-A and 
2847-W. 
Sec. 5. 24-A MRSA §2766-A is enacted to read: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" f1" to S.P. 677, L.D. 1975 ( '. .. · 1.fol) 
§2766-A. Dental benefit waiting period 
1. Enrollee defined. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise 
indicates, "enrollee" means a person who is covered under an individual policy or 
contract provided by an insurer. 
2. No waiting period for enrollee under 19 years of age. An insurer that issues 
individual dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services 
may not impose a waiting period. as defined in section 2848. subsection 5, for any dental 
or oral health service or treatment. except for orthodontic treatment. for an enrollee if the 
enrollee is under 19 years of age. 
Sec. 6. 24-A MRSA §2847-W is enacted to read: 
§2847-W. Dental benefit waiting period 
1. Enrollee defined. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise 
indicates, "enrollee" means a person who is covered under a group policy or contract 
provided by an insurer. 
2. No waiting period for enrollee under 19 years of age. An insurer that issues 
group dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services may 
not impose a waiting period. as defined in section 2848, subsection 5. for any dental or 
oral health service or treatment. except for orthodontic treatment. for an enrollee if the 
enrollee is under 19 years of age. 
Sec. 7. 24-A MRSA §4260 is enacted to read: 
§4260. Dental benefit waiting period 
1. Enrollee defined. For the purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise 
indicates. "enrollee" means a person who is covered under an individual or group contract 
provided by a health maintenance organization. 
2. No waiting period for enrollee under 19 years of age. A health maintenance 
organization that issues individual or group dental insurance or individual or group 
contracts that include coverage for dental services may not impose a waiting period. as 
defined in section 2848. subsection 5, for any dental or oral health service or treatment. 
except for orthodontic treatment, for an enrollee if the enrollee is under 19 years of age. 
Sec. 8. Application. Those sections of this Act that enact the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 24-A, sections 2766-A, 2847-W and 4260 apply to all policies, contracts 
and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed on or after 
January 1, 2021 in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be 
renewed no later than the next yearly anniversaty of the contract date.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the committee and replaces the bill. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEEAMENDMENT"A "to S.P. 677, L.D. 1975 ( S·!...\C\\
) 
Like the bill, the amendment prohibits a health insurance carrier or dental insurer 
from imposing a waiting period for any dental or oral health service or treatment, except 
for orthodontic treatment, for an enrollee under 19 years of age. The bill allocates the 
prohibition to the Maine Insurance Code, chapter 56-A. The amendment allocates the 
prohibition to the appropriate chapters of the Maine Insurance Code to ensure the 
prohibition applies to stand-alone dental insurance plans and to health insurance plans 
that provide coverage for dental or oral health services. 
The amendment makes clear that the provisions apply to policies and contracts issued 
or renewed on or after January 1, 2021. 
The amendment also corrects a conflict created by Public Law 2019, chapters 274 
and 388, which affected the same provision of law. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT