LD 961 Maine House · 132nd Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act To Address Maine'S Health Care Workforce Shortage And Improve Access To Care

LD 961 repeals a requirement that certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) in Maine must practice under physician supervision for two years before providing independent care. It also eliminates the "supervising nurse practitioner" designation, which was previously used to oversee CNPs during their supervised period. This change directly affects CNPs by removing barriers to independent practice, allowing them to provide care without the two-year restriction. The bill aims to address Maine's health care workforce shortage by expanding access to qualified providers.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Signed Feb 17, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Feb 17, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED TO BE ENACTED.
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment "A" (H-785) READ and ADOPTED.
upper
Jan 8, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - OTP-AM
legislature
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors