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An Act To Address the Documented Educational and Rehabilitation Needs of Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  legal requirements regarding the educational needs of children who are blind or visually impaired are not currently being met; 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. 26 MRSA §1418-D, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. F, §13, is amended to read:
 
2. Department of Education input; school administrative units.  The division shall ensure that the Department of Education has input into any contract to provide educational services and delivery of those services to blind or visually impaired children from birth to 20 years of age. Educational services for blind or visually impaired children from birth to 20 years of age are an entitlement mandated by federal law and, as such, children will receive priority for all services provided by the division. Nothing in this section relieves school administrative units from fulfilling their responsibilities under Title 20-A, Part 4, subpart 1.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 125th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.