Whereas, commencing July 1, 1999, certification, authorization, approval and renewal of teachers and educational personnel are subject to the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6103; and

Whereas, to aid in ensuing compliance with the July 1, 1999 beginning date, it is essential that certain changes be made in Title 20-A, section 6103 and Title 25, section 1542-A relating to the taking of the fingerprints of applicants; and

Whereas, the issue of certain expenses relating to obtaining the conviction data information required by Title 20-A, section 6103 needs to be expressly addressed; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6103, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 547, §5, is amended to read:

4. Expenses. Notwithstanding Title 26, sections 594 and 629, the expense of obtaining the information required by this section must be paid by the applicant. That expense consists of the following fees:

A.__Any processing fee charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct the national criminal history record check; and

B.__When initially subject to the provisions of this section, a one-time processing fee of $25 to offset the expenses incurred by the Department of Public Safety to obtain the fingerprints.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6103, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 452, §3, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

6.__Fingerprinting.__The applicant shall submit to having fingerprints taken.__The Maine State Police, upon payment by the applicant of the expenses specified in subsection 4, shall take or cause to be taken the applicant's fingerprints and shall