Pendleton proposes bill to address

laboratory workforce shortage

AUGUSTA – Legislative leaders have approved a bill proposed by Rep. Peggy Pendleton, D-Scarborough, for consideration by the full legislature in 2008. She submitted the bill to address the severe shortage of qualified laboratory technicians.

The Council originally did not accept Pendleton’s bill for consideration when they met on Oct. 25 to review all of the bills proposed for the short 2008 session. They reconsidered their decision after Pendleton presented her case during their appeals meeting on Thursday.

Pendleton submitted the bill, “To Determine Methods of Securing a Trained Laboratory Workforce for Maine,” at the request of Maine employers who are unable to fill numerous openings for laboratory technicians. The bill would explore ways Maine educational institutions can help fill this unmet need.

“A shortage of lab technicians has forced Maine employers to recruit outside of Maine, and even outside of the United States, in order to fill these critical positions,” said Pendleton. “Many employers who can’t find trained laboratory technicians are forced to use national staffing agencies to fill these jobs at an increased cost of 30% to 70%.”

Laboratory technicians are employed by hospitals, biotechnology companies, physician offices, and other commercial laboratories. There are now only two educational programs in Maine providing degrees in the field of laboratory technology, which will graduate between 12-18 students a year.

“Just last week Maine voters approved Question 2 on the ballot, which will increase our investment in research and development,” said Pendleton. “Yet existing laboratories can’t find the trained employees they need. As we all know, numerous Maine citizens are in need of better paying jobs to support their families. This bill seeks to intervene and assist public and private sector employers while providing more educational and economic opportunities for Maine citizens.”

Her appeal was among only 46 bills that were accepted yesterday by legislative leaders for consideration during the second session of the 123rd Legislature, which convenes on Jan. 2. Bills submitted for the second session of the Legislature must be approved by a majority of the Legislative Council, which is made up of the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and leaders from both major political parties.

For more information about bills approved for the 2008 legislative session, visit: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/lio/publications.htm.