The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) regulates dozens of professions in Maine, like electricians, social workers, and veterinarians, all of whom are licensed in order to protect consumers from fraud, incompetence, and to enhance safety. As well intended as the goal of 'consumer protection' may be, licensees are citizens too and they deserve their rights.
We propose to take a step toward protecting those rights by requesting of our legislature to require the Office (OPOR) to create an online community to bring together all licensees and consumers on one platform, with the following goals.
One, the community should be provided at least with up-to-date video of all board meetings, online, immediately after they take place so that licensees (and consumers) may stay apprised of matters that concern them.
Two, the community should provide a web forum so that licensees can debate amongst each other, offer their views on changing rules, and take straw votes on any change that might take place. This community should offer anonymity to those who wish to keep it so they can feel comfortable speaking out.
It has been said that sunshine is the best disinfectant, and the proposed measure should provide a significant quantity of that. No one should feel alone or isolated as a licensee if they believe they are being treated unfairly; and on the flip side, we can all benefit when more of us offer our two cents.
