State Legislation
Maine
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As a service to our clients, CorVel is providing links to information related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the states.
Legislature Status: Previously adjourned until March 17. Adjourned sine die after the session day on March 17.
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus resource page.
- April 14, 2020-The Governor wrote a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to coordinate a nationwide strategy to increase the amount of food available to emergency food programs and to address gaps in the food supply chain.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor signed a proclamation extending Maine’s state of civil emergency for another thirty days through May 15, 2020.
- April 13, 2020 – The Governor joined a coalition of Governors from Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin in writing to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to ask the Administration to reconsider its decision and take action to allow for a special enrollment period of at least 30 days on the federal health care exchange.
- April 10, 2020 – The Governor signed an executive order moving Maine’s primary election from Tuesday, June 9, 2020 to Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The order allows applications for absentee ballots to be made in writing or in person, without specifying a reason, up to and including the day of the election.
Legislation
- HB 1547 Permits the State Controller to transfer up to $11 million from the Reserve for General Fund Operating Capital to a COVID-19 response refund to address funding needs related to the novel coronavirus. Enacted.
- HB 1549 Requires a postsecondary educational institution in the State that temporarily suspends classes and requires students, staff and faculty to remain of campus due to an infectious disease, including COVID-19 to take certain actions around student reimbursement, faculty compensation and allowing students to remain on campus. Pending.
- SB 676 Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to amend certain rules to provide for reimbursement of case management services delivered through telehealth to targeted populations; makes other changes necessary for the delivery of telehealth services to be expanded to include case management services. Enacted.
- SB 789 Provides the Governor, on a temporary basis, with additional powers for the duration of the state of emergency declared by the Governor due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Enacted.
- HB 1516 Makes supplemental appropriations and allocations for the expenditures of the general fund; includes one-time funding to respond to COVID-19. Enacted.
- HP 1425 Makes some of the most common medical visits free or less costly, simplifies shopping for a plan, and leverages federal funds to help make premiums more affordable for small businesses. Enacted.
Maine Regulatory Updates 04/11/2024
LD 1896 – An Act to Index Workers’ Compensation Benefits to the Rate of Inflation
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 03/13/2024
This measure requires a study of workers’ compensation benefits using data supplied by insurers, administrators and self-insured employers. It takes effect 90 days after adjournment.
Most Recent Update:
3/12/2024 – This measure was signed by Governor Janet Mills (D) on March 12. This measure takes effect 90 days after adjournment.
Additional Outlook: The February 21 amendment reduced this measure to a study. The previous summary is here for reference: “This measure sets workers’ compensation amounts to be increased annually for inflation according to changes in the Consumer Price Index.”
LD 2233 – Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 255: Workers’ Compensation Fronting Companies, a Late-Filed Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary For 02/29/2024
This measure provides legislative approval of the following administrative regulation filed outside of the normal legislative acceptance period: Chapter 255: Workers’ Compensation Fronting Companies
Most Recent Update:
04/03/2024 – This measure was signed by Governor Janet Mills (D) on March 12. This measure takes effect 90 days after adjournment.
Maine Regulatory Updates 08/08/2023
LD 1372 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Laws to Allow For the Use of Fronting Companies
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure allows fronting companies for workers compensation, allowing in-state self-insuring companies to insure out of state workers. It requires the assets of the member groups to be available to satisfy the obligations of the fronting company if needed. It further requires reinsurance of at least $50 million. It takes effect June 1, 2024 and expires May 31, 2029.
Most Recent Update:
- 07/06/2023 – Became Law without Governor’s Signature
Maine Regulatory Updates 06/07/2023
LD 1896 – An Act to Index Workers’ Compensation Benefits to the Rate of Inflation
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure sets workers’ compensation amounts to be increased annually for inflation according to changes in the Consumer Price Index. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
05/16/2023 – Work session held; Tabled
Maine Regulatory Updates 4/20/2023
LD 1112 – An Act to Provide Workers’ Compensation For Temporary Employees
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure provides for workers’ compensation coverage of temporary employees by the temporary employment agency. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
3/09/2023 This measure has been introduced and referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Housing, chaired by Senator Michael Tipping (D) and Representative Amy Roeder (D). The sponsor does not serve on the committee. This measure awaits further consideration in the committee. All bills in Maine receive a hearing.
LD 1302 – An Act to Create a Rebuttable Presumption Under the Workers’ Compensation Law For Line Workers Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure creates a presumption for workers’ compensation coverage of PTSD for line workers employed by a community or investor owned transmission and distribution utility. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
3/23/2023 This measure has been introduced. This measure awaits committee referral.
LD 1385 – An Act to Amend the Maine Workers’ Compensation Act of 1992 Regarding Employee Liability
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
Most Recent Update:
3/28/2023 This measure has been introduced and referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Housing, chaired by Senator Michael Tipping (D) and Representative Amy Roeder (D). The sponsor does not serve on the committee.This measure awaits further consideration in the committee. All bills in Maine receive a hearing.
LD 1372 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Laws to Allow For the Use of Fronting Companies
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
Most Recent Update:
3/28/2023 This measure has been introduced and referred to the Joint Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, chaired by Sen. Donna Bailey (D) and Rep. Anne Perry (D). The sponsor does serve on the committee.This measure awaits Senate concurrence.
Maine Regulatory Updates 2/6/2023
LD 53 – An Act to Ensure Accountability For Workplace Harassment and Assault By Removing Intentional Acts and Omissions from Workers’ Compensation Exemptions
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure removes intentional acts and omissions from the exemption from civil action relating to workers’ compensation damages.
Most Recent Update:
2/16/2023 This measure is scheduled to be heard by the Joint Committee on Labor and Housing, chaired by Senator Michael Tipping (D) and Representative Amy Roeder (D), on February 16. The Maine legislature is meeting both in-person and virtually for the 2023 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by submitting testimony online to the legislative website. Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours in advances of the hearing. A vote is unlikely until the measure is considered in a work session. Even if the measure receives an unfavorable report from the committee, the measure is still eligible for further consideration.
Maine Regulatory Updates 4/11/2022
LD 1881 – An Act to Clarify the Laws Related to the Use of Medical Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Marijuana), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure requires reimbursement of costs associated with medical marijuana for qualifying patients. This measure requires insurance companies to reimburse costs associated with medical use of marijuana for qualifying patents. A decision, lump-sum settlement or agreement under the Maine Workers Comp Act of 1992 may not prohibit an employee from being qualified. This measure may not be construed to require insurance companies providing workers compensation insurance to cover such costs. This measure takes effect immediately.
Most Recent Update:
3/16/2022 This measure was scheduled for work session on March 16 in the Joint Labor and Housing Committee, chaired by Senator Craig Hickman (D) and Representative Mike Sylvester. The Maine legislature is meeting both in-person and virtually for the 2022 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by submitting testimony online to the legislative website. Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours in advances of the hearing. A vote is unlikely until the measure is considered in a work session. Even if the measure receives an unfavorable report from the committee, the measure is still eligible for further
consideration.
Maine Regulatory Updates 2/3/2022
LD 1881 – An Act to Clarify the Laws Related to the Use of Medical Marijuana and Workers’ Compensation
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Marijuana), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure requires reimbursement of costs associated with medical marijuana for qualifying patients. This measure requires insurance companies to reimburse costs associated with medical use of marijuana for qualifying patents. A decision, lump-sum settlement or agreement under the Maine Workers Comp Act of 1992 may not prohibit an employee from being qualified. This measure may not be construed to require insurance companies providing workers compensation insurance to cover such costs. This measure takes effect immediately.
Most Recent Update:
1/31/2022 This measure has been scheduled for a hearing on January 31 in the Joint Labor and Housing Committee, chaired by Senator Craig Hickman (D) and Representative Mike Sylvester. The Maine legislature is meeting both in-person and virtually for the 2022 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so by submitting testimony online to the legislative website. Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours in advances of the hearing. A vote is unlikely until the measure is considered in a work session. Even if the measure receives an unfavorable report from the committee, the measure is still eligible for further
consideration.
Maine Regulatory Updates 04/01/2020
LD 1112 – An Act To Provide Employee Vaccination Compensation
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement)
Summary:
This measure provides employee vaccination compensation.
This measure establishes the right of an employee to refuse any vaccine required or recommended by the employer without coercion, consequence or retaliation by the employer and the employee’s right to receive the vaccination at the employee’s workplace and at the expense of the employer. It also requires the employer to compensate the employee for any medical expenses incurred by the employee due to an injury or adverse reaction to a vaccine and to provide any necessary paid time off to the employee, in addition to any sick time, vacation time or other benefit offered by the employer. Compensation for the employee’s injury or adverse reaction to a vaccine is provided in addition to any remedy available under the workers’ compensation laws.
Most Recent Update: This measure was placed in Legislative Files. According to staff and Maine statute, this measure is considered dead. As a result this measure failed upon adjournment.
This measure is ineligible for further consideration.
Maine Services
- Workers’ compensation claims administration
- Medical bill review in compliance with state requirements
- Local PPO development and management
- Case management services
Maine Resources
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