Resolve, to Establish the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained Physicians Living in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0937
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: CLOUTIER, TALBOT ROSS, CURRY, ABDI, DHALAC, PERRY, RIELLY, ROBERTS, ZAGER, RAFFERTY, ROTUNDO

Legislative Document
No. 937
H.P. 584
House of Representatives, March 2, 2023
Resolve, to Establish the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained 
Physicians Living in Maine
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CLOUTIER of Lewiston.
Cosponsored by Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, Senator CURRY of Waldo and
Representatives: ABDI of Lewiston, DHALAC of South Portland, PERRY of Calais, RIELLY 
of Westbrook, ROBERTS of South Berwick, ZAGER of Portland, Senators: RAFFERTY of 
York, ROTUNDO of Androscoggin.
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 legislation establishes the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained 
Physicians Living in Maine to study integrating foreign-trained physicians into the health 
care workforce; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period 
so that the commission may timely meet and make its report to the Legislature; 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 established.  Resolved:  That the Commission Regarding 
Foreign-trained Physicians Living in Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," 
is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 16 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 Innovation, Development, 
Economic Advancement and Business;
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;
3.  One member who is a representative of the Board of Licensure in Medicine, 
appointed by the President of the Senate;
4.   One member who is a representative of the Maine Hospital Association, appointed 
by the President of the Senate;
5.  One member who is a representative of insurance carriers in the State, appointed by 
the President of the Senate;
6.  One member who is a representative of the New Mainers Resource Center, 
appointed by the President of the Senate;
7.   Three members who are physicians who are refugees or immigrants, 2 of whom are 
appointed by the President of the Senate, at least one of whom must be licensed to practice 
in the State, and one of whom is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
8.  Two members who are representatives of the Maine Medical Association, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
9.  One member who is a representative of the Maine Public Health Association, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
10.  One member who is a representative of the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, 
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
11.  One member from the staff of the Office of the Governor, 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 physicians living in the State into the health care workforce to best reflect their level 
of skills and training, with a focus on those who are here as refugees and asylum seekers.  
The commission shall explore a wide range of options for how to help enable foreign-
trained physicians who wish to live and practice in the State to best use their skills and 
talents, increase health care workforce cultural competency and address potential 
workforce shortages.  The commission shall make recommendations on:
1.  Strategies to integrate foreign-trained physicians into the health care workforce;
2.  Other ways, outside of being licensed as a physician, that foreign-trained physicians 
can be supported to best use their skills and training;
3.  Changes for regulations that may pose unnecessary barriers to practice for foreign-
trained physicians;
4.  Necessary supports for foreign-trained physicians moving through the different 
steps in the licensing process prior to involvement with the Board of Licensure in Medicine;
5.  Opportunities to advocate for corresponding changes to national licensing 
requirements; and
6.  Any other matters pertaining to foreign-trained physicians considered necessary by 
the commission.
The commission shall review and identify best practices learned 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 physicians and recommendations for the types 
of strategies, programs and support that would benefit foreign-trained physicians 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.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 6, 2023, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This resolve creates the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained Physicians Living in 
Maine to study integrating foreign-trained physicians living in the State into the health care 
workforce to best reflect their level of skills and training, with a focus on those who are 
here as refugees and asylum seekers.