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MaineLD 2132132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Amend the Maine Emergency Medical Services Act of 1982 to Modify Penalties for Unauthorized Operation or Practice of Emergency Medical Services, to Direct Maine Emergency Medical Services to Evaluate Improvements to Maine's Trauma System Reporting and to Make Certain Technical Changes

Sponsored By: Rachel Talbot Ross (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

HEALTH CARE SERVICESHEALTH CARE SERVICES - DELIVERY

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Maine must review trauma care improvements

The Maine EMS director or a designee must convene the State Trauma Prevention and Control Advisory Committee. The committee must review ways to improve trauma care and share uniform data about injury incidents. The director must report findings to the Legislature’s emergency medical services committee by September 1, 2027. That legislative committee can introduce follow-up legislation during the Second Regular Session of the 133rd Legislature. The law requires a review, not specific care improvements or household payments.

More groups can serve as regional councils

Maine’s regional EMS councils no longer have to be businesses. Other types of groups can qualify if the Maine EMS Board recognizes them. Each council must represent a Maine geographic area designated by the Board.

More emergency medical roles require licenses

Maine requires Board licenses for emergency medical services (EMS) educators, training centers, dispatch centers, and dispatchers before they operate or practice. An EMS educator is the lead instructor of an EMS licensing program. Licensing rules also cover ambulance services, ambulances, nontransporting services, EMS personnel, and ambulance operators. The existing exception in state licensing law remains in place.

Unlicensed emergency medical work faces penalties

Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly doing work requiring an EMS license—or claiming authority to do it—without that license is a Class E crime. Knowingly or recklessly doing so after a license expires, is suspended, or is revoked is also a crime. Civil fines are $1,000 to $5,000 per violation, including work under expired, suspended, or revoked licenses. Civil cases go to District Court, or Superior Court when combined with a request for a court order stopping violations. Maine’s Attorney General can seek that order, repayment of measurable losses, and return of money received for unlawful work. Breaking the order carries a fine of up to $10,000 per violation. After a permanent order, the court can require payment of the State’s investigation and court costs, including attorney’s fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 19 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 693

    4/13/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/6/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/2/2026House

  4. Reports READ.On motion of Representative HASENFUS of Readfield, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-583) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-583). In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/31/2026House

  5. Reports READ.On motion by Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 825 Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0 READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-583) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-583) Sent down for concurrence.

    3/30/2026Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

  7. Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-583), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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