MaineMaine allows qualified emergency medical providers to handle controlled drugs
Emergency medical services and workers with the required board license or approval may obtain and give controlled drugs under the licensing board's rules.
What it does
Qualified emergency medical services and workers may obtain, keep, give, and supply controlled drugs. They must have board permission for advanced emergency treatment or community paramedicine and follow its rules.
Argument forClear permission to obtain and give controlled drugs could help qualified emergency medical providers get needed medicines to patients promptly.
Argument againstAllowing services and workers to keep and supply controlled drugs could create opportunities for misuse if handling rules fall short.
More detail
Eligible emergency medical services and workers may obtain, keep, give, and supply controlled drugs, which are substances subject to special legal controls. Covered providers include ambulance services, emergency services that do not transport patients, emergency medical workers, and community paramedicine services and clinicians. These clinicians have special training to provide nonemergency care. The licensing board must license providers, or authorize community paramedicine services, to provide advanced emergency treatment or community paramedicine. Providers must follow the board's rules. Community paramedicine means occasional patient evaluation, advice, and treatment, mainly outside hospitals, to prevent or improve a medical condition. The law took effect when the Governor approved it on April 13, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 9PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 9Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 9PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Apr 9This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.
- Apr 8Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Apr 8Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Apr 8Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-1001), in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 8Committee Amendment "A" (H-1001) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 8READ ONCE.Minor
- Apr 8Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.
- Apr 8Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 8The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-1001).Minor
- Apr 8Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Apr 8CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- Mar 18Voted - OTP-AM
- Mar 18Work Session Held
- 2025
- Jun 25Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- May 19Carry Over Approved
- May 16Carry Over Requested
- May 15Work Session Held - TABLED
- Mar 21Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
- Feb 6The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.Minor
- Feb 6Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025.Introduced
Healthcare