I'll see what I can dig up on procedures. PM me with a fax number if you have one available (it'll be easier for me than typing).
(M) procedures must remain (M) Procedures, but we have a section in our Opeations Manual to provide guidance for flight crews so they can (legally) pull and collar a circuit breaker and placard equipment if included in an (M) Procedure. Its in the Operations Manual so we have a documented procedure. You also add this info as a section of the mEL iteself.
An A&P does not have to accomplish the work, but most times a "qualified maintenance techinican" does. This is how we have it worded in our MEL.