LD 149 helps people with advanced degrees or licenses from other states or nations secure the ability to work in Maine

On Wednesday, March 23, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce offered testimony before the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement, and Business (IDEA) in support of LD 149, An Act To Facilitate Licensure for Credentialed Individuals from Other Jurisdictions. This proposal would help people with advanced degrees and professional licenses from other states or nations secure the ability to work in Maine.

Similar bills – LD 612 and LD 1131 – are being discussed in the House. These bills assist individuals who hold licenses or certifications in other states transition those credentials to Maine. Unlike LD 149, these bills do not address individuals with foreign credentials.

The Maine State Chamber supports LD 149 as it accomplishes more than LD 612 and LD 1131. The Maine State Chamber’s support touched on these points:

• This bill is in line with the Governor’s 10-year Economic Development Strategic Plan.
  
• Raising and educating our workforce internally, without bringing new talent from elsewhere, is not going to slow Maine’s growing workforce gaps or fulfill employers’ ongoing needs.
  
• Maine’s goals to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce cannot be met without this type of legislation.
  
• The bill compels coordination with licensing agencies to protect consumers and maintain standards for quality. Therefore, burdens and barriers that do not relate to the prospect’s knowledge, skills, or abilities should be eliminated.   
  

 
If you would like more information about the issues discussed above, please contact Simon West by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 117, or by emailing swest@mainechamber.org.