Whereas, current law regarding the solicitation of donations by law enforcement agencies, associations or officers is unclear; and

Whereas, clarification is necessary to distinguish between solicitations for a law enforcement officer who has suffered a catastrophic illness and who is in need and those solicitations where undue influence may be present; 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Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §3701, sub-§6, as repealed by T. 25, §3701, sub-§6 and amended by PL 2003, c. 560, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 25 MRSA §3702-A, as repealed by T. 25, §3702-A and amended by PL 2003, c. 560, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§3702-A.__Solicitation with approval

A law enforcement agency, law enforcement association or law enforcement officer may solicit donations of property from the general public only when the property or any part of that property in any way tangibly benefits, is intended to tangibly benefit or is represented to be for the tangible benefit of a law enforcement officer and only after meeting all of the requirements of this section.

1.__Beneficiary.__The law enforcement agency, law enforcement association or law enforcement officer may solicit donations only for a law enforcement officer suffering from a catastrophic illness.

2.__Approval of local officials.__The law enforcement agency, law enforcement association or law enforcement officer seeking to solicit donations under this section must obtain the approval of:

A.__The governing body of the municipality in which the solicitation will occur.__If the solicitation is intended to