Whereas, people living on islands who suffer from a catastrophic illness must travel to and from the mainland for treatment; and

Whereas, the Maine State Ferry Service is the only public transportation available to many of these people; and

Whereas, this legislation provides free transportation to those people to allow them to get to their medical appointments, alleviating some of their burden; 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. 23 MRSA §4407 is enacted to read:

§4407.__Free nonemergency transportation services for

catastrophic medical reasons

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Catastrophic illness" means an unforeseen,__prolonged and extended illness or medical condition, the medical and associated travel expenses of which are not covered by any other state or federal program or any insurance contract.

B.__"Free transportation services" means round-trip transportation without charge from an island served by the Maine State Ferry Service to the mainland and back on scheduled trips of vessels of the Maine State Ferry Service for one eligible resident and one personal vehicle to transport the eligible resident to a scheduled medical appointment.__"Free transportation services" includes transportation for one adult attendant to accompany an eligible resident to a scheduled medical appointment.

C.__"Medically necessary" means prescribed by a physician and reasonably necessary to treat a catastrophic illness.