RULEMAKING

Public Input for Rules Notices are published each Wednesday to alert the public regarding state agency rulemaking. You may obtain a copy of any rule by notifying the agency contact person. You may also comment on the rule, and/or attend the public hearing. If no hearing is scheduled, you may request one - the agency may then schedule a hearing, and must do so if 5 or more persons request it. If you are disabled or need special services to attend a hearing, please notify the agency contact person at least 7 days prior to it. Petitions: you can petition an agency to adopt, amend, or repeal any rule; the agency must provide you with petition forms, and must respond to your petition within 60 days. The agency must enter rulemaking if the petition is signed by 150 or more registered voters, and may begin rulemaking if there are fewer. You can also petition the Legislature to review a rule; the Executive Director of the Legislative Council (115 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, phone (207) 287-1615) will provide you with the necessary petition forms. The appropriate legislative committee will review a rule upon receipt of a petition from 100 or more registered voters, or from "...any person who may be directly, substantially and adversely affected by the application of a rule..." (Title 5 §11112). WorldWide Web: Copies of the weekly notices and the full texts of adopted rule chapters may be found on the internet at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules. There is also a list of rulemaking liaisons (http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/liaisons.html), who are single points of contact for each agency. PROPOSALS AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS), Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) - Division of Policy CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM): Ch. II Section 101, Medical Imaging Services TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2021-P011 CONCISE SUMMARY: The Department is proposing to add section 101.04-8, Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT), to cover the screening of lung cancer to provide earlier detection with smaller amounts of radiation than a traditional Computed Tomography scan. The Department will cover the screening when the member meets the following criteria: 1. Is 55-77 years of age; 2. Is asymptomatic; 3. Has a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack-years (one pack-year = smoking one pack per day for one year; 1 pack = 20 cigarettes); 4. Is a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years; and 5. Has received a written order for lung cancer screening with LDCT. Also, the Department is proposing section 101.01-5 to add a definition for LDCT. Additionally, section 101.03-2, Prior Authorization Requirements, is being updated. Finally, the Department proposes minor and technical edits. See http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents. PUBLIC HEARING: No public hearing scheduled. During the Civil State of Emergency declared by the Governor, public hearings are now closed to the public physically attending. During this State of Emergency, the Department will be providing a 30-day comment period instead of a public hearing. PUBLIC NOTICED: February 3, 2021 DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 5, 2021. OMS CONTACT PERSON / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Cari Philbrick, Comprehensive Health Planner II, MaineCare Services, 109 Capitol Street - 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011. Telephone: (207) 624-4031. Fax: (207) 287-6106. TTY: 711 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing). Email: Cari.Philbrick@Maine.gov . IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: The Department anticipates that this rulemaking will not have any impact on municipalities or counties. AGENCY: 01-015 - Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Maine Milk Commission (MMC) CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 3, Schedule of Minimum Prices, Order #03-21 TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2021-P012 BRIEF SUMMARY: The principal reason for this rule is the need to respond to Federal Order changes and to certain other conditions affecting prevailing Class I, II and III milk prices in Southern New England in accordance with 7 MRS §2954 PUBLIC HEARING: February 18, 2021, Thursday, starting at 4:00 p.m. Because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and pursuant to 1 MRS §403-A, enacted by PL 2020 c. 617 part G (eff. March 18, 2020), this hearing could be held remotely by telephonic conference. Directions on how to attend the hearing telephonically will be posted on the Milk Commission website and sent to the interested persons list in advance of February 18, 2021. If the civil emergency is not extended the meeting will be held in Room 101, Deering Building, Augusta, Maine. COMMENT DEADLINE: February 18, 2021 CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / MMC RULEMAKING LIAISON: Tim Drake, Maine Milk Commission, 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-7521. Email: Tim.Drake@Maine.gov . FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office for Family Independence (OFI) CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 609, Food Supplement-Employment and Training (FSET) Program Rules, FSET Rule #5 - Bachelors Programs Approved TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2021-P013 BRIEF SUMMARY: Effective October 1, 2020, this rulemaking proposes to expand Maine's FSET post-secondary educational opportunities for FSET participants to include some 4-year degree programs that lead to high wage, in demand occupations, as defined by the Maine Department of Labor at 12-597 ch. 2, Rule Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program. Maine Department of Health and Human Services recently renewed its formal partnership with the Maine Department of Labor's Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) to include the CSSP program in its array of FSET services. This change will allow co-enrolled FSET and CSSP participants to most efficiently participate in educational programming. As detailed in its website at http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/cssp.shtml, the program includes "certificate programs and two- and four-year degrees - training for industry recognized credentials, and support leading to skilled, well-compensated jobs with anticipated high employment demand." The Department of Labor maintains this list of jobs considered high-wage, in demand occupations, which have an average wage at or above the average wage for all occupations in Maine and are projected to have a minimum number of job openings annually. In partnering with the CSSP program, Maine DHHS staff will utilize the expertise of the Maine Department of Labor to identify which occupations are high wage, in demand occupations, and support the degrees needed accordingly through its FSET program. The rulemaking also clarifies that participants may be co-enrolled with more than one FSET provider only when the providers are delivering different components of services, as defined in the rule. Effective March 8, 2021, this rulemaking proposes to strike language disallowing reimbursement for on the job training or work experience. This change aligns Maine's policy with new federal rules adding subsidized employment as an allowable component. Retroactive rulemaking is authorized by the Legislature in accordance with 22 MRS §42(8) because this rule provides a benefit to recipients or beneficiaries and does not have an adverse financial effect on either providers or beneficiaries or recipients. This amendment is expected to be annually cost neutral, as the same number of participants will be served, and providers will be held to the established budgets and caps for services and participant reimbursements in their contracts or Memorandum of Understanding as previously approved. See http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents. PUBLIC HEARING: None. COMMENT DEADLINE: Monday, March 8, 2021. CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Patricia Dushuttle, Special Projects Manager, Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, 109 Capitol Street - 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330-6841. Telephone: (207) 624-6907. Fax: (207) 287-3455. TT Users Call Maine Relay - 711. Email: Patricia.Dushuttle@Maine.gov . FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None anticipated. AGENCY: 09-137 - Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 24, Licensed Guides (Recreational Classification) TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2021-P014 BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to amend rules as they pertain to the testing process for the recreational classification for licensed guides. Exams will be created to accommodate hunting and recreational classifications as well as fishing and recreational classifications. The proposed rule would also enable currently licensed hunting and/or fishing guides to pay the $100 exam fee, take a written exam and upgrade their license to include the recreational classification. Please contact the agency contact person for a complete copy of the proposed rule. PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled. COMMENT DEADLINE: March 5, 2021 CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street - 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-5202. Fax: (207) 287-6395. Email: Becky.Orff@Maine.gov . FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: No fiscal impact anticipated. AGENCY: 01-017 - Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Maine State Harness Racing Commission CHAPTER NUMBERS AND TITLES: Ch. 7, Racing Ch. 9, Sire Stakes Ch. 13, Pari-Mutuel TYPE OF RULES: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBERS: 2021-P015, P016, P017 BRIEF SUMMARY: Chapter 7, Racing The proposed amendments add language regarding trainer responsibilities, specifically pertaining to ensuring the correct horse is raced and when horses are permitted to leave the paddock. There are updates to whip specifications and language from United State Trotting Association's whipping rules to provide clarification on the acceptable uses of a whip. The amendments pay out purses to six places, revise the language for coupled entries and remove the Querrion rule. Finally, a few subsections were moved and placed under a more logical section. Chapter 9, Sire Stakes The proposed amendments prohibit the coupling of horses entered into a Sire Stakes race, as well as the segregation of horses with common ownership into separate divisions during the draw. There is also a proposed amendment to eliminate subsection that states Sire Stakes participants must adhere to the 45 day rule found in ch. 7. Chapter 13, Pari-Mutuel The proposed amendments add a table illustrating the minimum wagers as they pertain to the various types of betting pools, provides clarification as to when certain types of bets can be accepted, and removes outdated language and practices. PUBLIC HEARING: 10:00 a.m. on February 24, 2021, via video conference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87838351859?pwd=MGQwZ2hsSGl6TmpxV2dlOW1ybzRYZz09 . Meeting ID: 878 3835 1859. Passcode: 775501 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87838351859# US (Chicago) +19292056099,,87838351859# US (New York) Dial In Number: 929 205 6099 US (New York) COMMENT DEADLINE: 5:00 p.m. on March 8, 2021 CONTACT PERSON FOR THESE FILINGS / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / HARNESS RACING RULEMAKING LIAISON: Henry Jennings, Harness Racing, 28 State House Station - 99 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-7543. Fax: (207) 287-7548. Email: Henry.Jennings@Maine.gov . IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: none AGENCY: 12-179 - Department of Labor (DOL), Board of Occupational Safety and Health CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 3, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction Industry Employment in the Public Sector TYPE OF RULE: Routine Technical PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2021-P018 BRIEF SUMMARY: To update the rule to incorporate changes to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, 29 CFR Part 1926, including changes to standards for Beryllium and Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Railroad Roadway Work. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/09142020 . PUBLIC HEARING: None, unless requested pursuant to 5 MRS §8052(1). COMMENT DEADLINE: March 4, 2021 CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION / DOL RULEMAKING LIAISON: Isaac H. Gingras, Department of Labor, 54 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0054. Telephone: (207) 626-6232. Email: Isaac.H.Gingras@Maine.gov . FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): ADOPTIONS Pursuant to Ch. 380 of the Public Laws of 2011, notice of the adoption of rules will no longer be published in the newspaper rulemaking notices; our Wednesday web notices will continue to carry them, however. Information on rules adopted through the Maine Administrative Procedure Act as well as the full text of adopted rules is available on the internet at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules .