Resolve, To Establish and Fund a Medical Professionals Health Program from Health Care Provider License Fees
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1576
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: BRENNER

Legislative Document
No. 1576
S.P. 438
In Senate, April 27, 2021
Resolve, To Establish and Fund a Medical Professionals Health 
Program from Health Care Provider License Fees
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BRENNER of Cumberland.
Sec. 1.  Medical professionals health program development.  Resolved: That 
the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation shall study and determine the best 
method of establishing and administering a medical professionals health program as 
described in this resolve.
Sec. 2.  Definitions. Resolved:  That, as used in this resolve, unless the context 
otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1.  "Department" means the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
2.  "Medical professional" means a health care professional licensed by a state licensing 
board pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32 and includes, but is not limited to, 
allopathic and osteopathic physicians; physician assistants; professional nurses, advanced 
practice registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants; 
veterinarians; dentists and dental therapists, radiologists and hygienists; and pharmacists 
and pharmacy technicians.
3.  "Program" means the medical professionals health program described in section 3. 
4.  "State licensing board" means an entity that provides a license or certificate issued 
by this State to a medical professional required for that medical professional to practice or 
work in that medical professional's field.
5.  "Student" means an individual who is enrolled in a course of study to be licensed as 
a medical professional.
Sec. 3.  Medical professionals health program parameters. Resolved:  That, 
in determining the best method to establish and administer the program, the department 
shall consider the following.
1. The program must assist medical professionals and students challenged with 
substance use, mental health, behavioral and administrative issues and stress and burnout 
by providing confidential monitoring, support, treatment resources, advocacy, education 
and outreach.
2.  The program must coordinate and work with state licensing boards to ensure the 
safety of medical professionals and their patients.
3.  A medical professional or student may self-refer or may be referred for assistance 
to the program by a state licensing board or court.
4.  The program may be created by the department or the department may contract with 
an outside entity for the program's development and administration. 
Sec. 4.  Funding of program.  Resolved: That the department shall determine a 
stable and dedicated funding source for the program, including a surcharge on the licensing 
or certification fees issued by a state licensing board.  The surcharge must be based upon 
the licensing or certification fee.  All funds collected from the surcharge must be used for 
the program.
Sec. 5.  Report.  Resolved:  That the department shall submit its proposal for 
development and administration of the program, including funding, and any implementing 
legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic 
Advancement and Business by December 1, 2021. The joint standing committee may report 
out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature related to the report.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation to study 
the best method of establishing and administering a medical professionals health program 
to assist medical professionals and students in medical professions challenged with 
substance use, mental health, behavioral and administrative issues and stress and burnout 
by providing confidential and compassionate monitoring, support, treatment resources, 
advocacy, education and outreach and working with state licensing boards to ensure the 
safety of medical professionals and their patients.  The department may develop and 
administer the program or contract with an outside entity. 
The program would be funded by a dedicated source of revenue generated from 
surcharges placed on the licensing fees of medical professionals, including, but not limited 
to, allopathic and osteopathic physicians; physician assistants; professional nurses, 
advanced practice registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and certified nursing 
assistants; veterinarians; dentists and dental therapists, radiologists and hygienists; and 
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.  The surcharges would be based on the current 
licensing or certification fees.
The department is required to submit a report and any implementing legislation to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business by December 1, 2021.  The joint standing committee may report out a bill to the