LD1254

Expands licensing requirements for outpatient surgical facilities in Maine.

The bill modifies the definition of "ambulatory surgical facility" to include private offices of physicians or dentists and facilities primarily for elective surgical care. These facilities must be licensed if their primary purpose is outpatient elective surgical care. Excluded are hospital-licensed facilities, those providing overnight services, and those primarily for pregnancy terminations. The bill also requires these facilities to administer anesthetic agents, maintain a sterile environment, and charge a separate facility fee.