CHAPTER 352

S.P. 263 - L.D. 768

An Act To Improve the Administration of the Baxter

Compensation Program

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the compensation panel of the Baxter Compensation Program has begun processing claims for compensation for persons abused while students at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf or the Maine School for the Deaf; and

Whereas, the current law could be read to require the release to the public of the details of the abuse that each claimant suffered; and

Whereas, keeping the details of abuse confidential is seen as necessary for some survivors of the abuse to come forward and is important in continuing the healing process without jeopardizing the health and welfare of the deaf community; 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. 5 MRSA §22002, sub-§6, ¶H, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 439, Pt. T, §5, is amended to read: