An Act to Require the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure, Board of Dental Practice, Board of Speech, Audiology and Hearing, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, State Board of Social Worker Licensure, Board of Osteopathic Licensure and Board of Licensure in Medicine to Obtain Fingerprint-based Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Checks for Initial Applicants and Licensees Seeking Compact Privileges
Sponsored By: Kristi Mathieson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Fingerprint checks for Maine health licenses
The law requires fingerprint-based state and FBI background checks for many licenses. This applies when you seek initial licensure or licensure by endorsement as an occupational therapist or assistant, physician assistant, audiologist, speech-language pathologist, dentist, dental hygienist, or a multistate social worker, clinical professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist. It also applies if you already hold one of these licenses and apply for an initial compact privilege and name Maine as your home or participating state. You must submit fingerprints and pay a fee set by your licensing board. The Maine State Police take and forward your prints for the checks.
Paying for and processing fingerprints
If a board asks for a background check, you must be fingerprinted and pay the board’s fee. The State Police take and forward your prints so the State Bureau of Identification can run state and FBI checks. The FBI keeps its processing fee; the rest of the money goes to the State Treasurer to support the Department of Public Safety. Failure to send required fingerprint records faces the penalty in law. Boards may adopt routine technical rules for running these checks after consulting Public Safety.
How boards use and protect records
Boards keep your background check results confidential. They may not share them with interstate compact commissions or anyone else. You can get your FBI record under federal rules and review your Maine record under state law. If your license expires and you do not apply to renew, you can ask in writing to have your fingerprints removed from the State Bureau of Identification’s file; the bureau must remove them and send written confirmation. Boards can use the records to screen applicants and to discipline licensees seeking a compact privilege, following state administrative procedure rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kristi Mathieson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 366
6/18/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/16/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/16/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-698) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-698), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
6/13/2025SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-698).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/13/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES in concurrence
4/30/2025SenateCommittee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/30/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-698), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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