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Department seeks authority to certify residential medication‑aid training; providers ask clarifying amendments
Summary
LD 2083 would authorize DHHS to certify individuals and instructors for certified residential medication aid (CRMA) training, update curriculum on a five‑year schedule, and set fees. DHHS said it lacks clear statutory authority to regulate certification; provider groups urged clarity that the Board of Nursing retain appropriate roles and warned about fees and sanctions for RNs.
Representative Michelle Meyer presented LD 2083, which would clarify departmental rulemaking authority to certify individuals and instructors for the certified residential medication aid (CRMA) course and to establish a process for certification, recertification and decertification.
"This legislation would clarify what types of facilities and or agencies may use certified residential medication aid, CRMA, training," Meyer said. The bill would require the department to issue a certificate to individuals who complete an approved course, direct a five‑year curriculum review, and permit fees and sanctioning mechanisms tied to rulemaking.
Bill Monteo, director of the Division of Licensing, told the committee the CRMA course exists as a department‑approved curriculum but that the department currently issues course completion certificates rather than certifying individuals. "We don't have the authority to certify the individuals or decertify the individuals," he said, describing curriculum and exam problems and the need to update the training, create decertification and competency processes, and coordinate with the Board of Nursing.
Provider representatives, including Angela Westhoff of the Maine Healthcare Association, said they were neither fully for nor against the bill as drafted. MHCA submitted an amendment to recast the bill as establishing standards for CRMA curriculum and training, argued the bill's title risks implying it expands the number of CRMAs, cautioned that fees and sanctions on RNs may be inappropriate and asked for a short stakeholder group prior to rulemaking.
Committee members asked technical questions about the scope of practice for CRMAs, distinctions from CNAs and how the department will coordinate with the Board of Nursing. The department said it intends to work with the Board and to pursue a hybrid learning management system to expand access.
The committee closed the hearing and recorded submitted amendment language and requests for a work session.
