Whereas, the law authorizing the Long-term Care Implementation Committee, Public Law 1999, chapter 731, Part BBBB, section 15 is scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2003; and

Whereas, the committee needs additional time to fulfill its duty to monitor the progress of state agencies that are implementing several initiatives related to long-term care; 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. PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. BBBB, §15, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 284, §2, is further amended to read:

3. Duties. The committee shall report by February 1, 2001; February 1, 2002; and December 31, 2002; October 15, 2003; and October 15, 2004 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters. The report must include activities of the committee in the prior year, the opinion of the committee on the progress being made to implement this Part, information requested from the joint standing committee or required by law or resolve and any recommendations for action, including recommending necessary legislation to the Legislature. This section is repealed January 1, 2003 November 1, 2004.

Sec. 2. Retroactivity. This Act applies retroactively to January 1, 2003.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

The law authorizing the Long-term Care Implementation Committee is scheduled for repeal on January 1, 2003. This bill postpones that repeal until November 1, 2004. It also adds 2 additional reporting dates for the committee to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters.