Public Laws

123rd Legislature

First Regular Session



Chapter 316

H.P. 1120 - L.D. 1598

An Act To Grant Supervisory Privileges to Supervising Nurse Practitioners

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§2-A,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 510, Pt. B, §10, is further amended to read:

2-A. Advanced practice registered nursing.   "Advanced practice registered nursing" means the delivery of expanded professional health care by an advanced practice registered nurse that is:
B.  Within the advanced practice registered nurse's scope of practice as specified by the board by rulemaking, taking into consideration any national standards that exist; and
C.  In accordance with the standards of practice for advanced practice registered nurses as specified by the board by rulemaking, taking into consideration any national standards that may exist. Advanced practice registered nursing includes consultation with or referral to medical and other health care providers when required by client health care needs.

A certified nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse may prescribe and dispense drugs or devices, or both, in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

A certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse must practice, for at least 24 months, under the supervision of a licensed physician or a supervising nurse practitioner or must be employed by a clinic or hospital that has a medical director who is a licensed physician. The certified nurse practitioner must shall submit written evidence to the board upon completion of the required clinical experience.

The board shall adopt rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter relating to advanced practice registered nursing.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §2102, sub-§10  is enacted to read:

10 Supervising nurse practitioner.   "Supervising nurse practitioner" means a certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse who has:
A Completed 24 months of supervised practice in accordance with subsection 2-A;
B Practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse for a minimum of 5 years in the same speciality;
C Worked in a clinical health care field for a minimum of 10 years; and
D Been approved by the board.

The board shall adopt rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter relating to supervising nurse practitioners. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Effective September 20, 2007

Office of the Revisor of Statutes
State House, Room 108
Augusta, ME 04333